Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, his daughter Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law Jalal Hamma have been granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The trio faces charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project, as brought forth by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Upon their arraignment before Justice Sylvanus Orji, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution, represented by Rotimi Jacobs SAN, informed the court of an amended charge filed by the EFCC, which was unopposed by the defendant’s counsel.
Lead counsel for the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), applied for bail on behalf of his clients. Jacobs, for the prosecution, noted that all defendants were on administrative bail and requested the court to grant bail with conditions ensuring their appearance for trial.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Orji granted bail to each defendant in the sum of 100 million naira, with two sureties each.
One of the sureties must possess a landed property with valid land titles within the Federal Capital Territory, and all sureties must depose to an affidavit of means.
Additionally, the defendants are are not allowed to travel outside Nigeria without court permission, with failure to comply resulting in remand in a correctional facility. The trial dates have been set for June 10, 11, and 20.
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