• Thursday, December 26, 2024
businessday logo

BusinessDay

N2.7bn alleged fraud: Court grants Sirika N100m bail

Hadi Sirika must be prosecuted for this affront

Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted Hado Sirika N100 million bail in the N2.7 billion charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Read also: N2.7bn fraud: Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika, daughter arrive court

The EFCC on Thursday araigned Sirika, his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma and a company named Al-Duraq Investment Ltd before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

Sirika pleads not guilty

The former minister for aviation pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the EFCC against him and his three co-defendants.

They are facing a six-count amended charge to the tune of N2.7 billion.

The EFCC on Thursday arraigned Sirika, his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma and a company named Al-Duraq Investment Ltd before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of di FCT High Court for Maitama, Abuja.

The EFCC on April 23 detained Sirika as part of its investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch.

Sirika was invited by the Abuja Zonal Command of the commission on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at the Commission.

Read also: EFCC freezes N3bn traced to Hadi Sirika’s brother’s account

The former minister was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry.

The arraignment was earlier slated to hold on Tuesday but due to EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date

Open In Whatsapp