A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika; his daughter, Fatima and son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma at N100million.
Justice Sylva Oriji granted them bail after their arraignment, along with a firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, on a six-count charge bordering on corrupt practices, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Other conditions attached to the bail include that the defendants produce two sureties, who must be Nigerians, one of whom must own a property within the Abuja Municipality, with a certificate of occupancy (C of O) signed personally by the Minister of the FCT.
Justice Oriji also barred the defendants from traveling outside the country during the pendency of the case.
The judge ordered that the defendanta should be remanded in prison custody should they fail to perfect the bail before the day runs out.
Sirika, Fatima and Hamma are accused of the following:
• Alleged consultancy contract fraud for Nigerian Air (N1,326,731,670.97)
• Alleged corruption related to the contract for Apron Extension at Katsina Airport (N1,498,300,750.00 ); and
• Alleged gratification (N1,310,142,051.16)
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the said fraudulent acts were committed by the suspects between April 2022 and March 2023.
THE NATION
