Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and Brother Granted N19.4bn Fraud Bail

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, have been granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court amidst allegations of N19.4 billion fraud. Justice Suleiman Belgore set the bail at N100 million each, with stringent conditions, including the possession of a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory by one of the sureties for each defendant.

The bail ruling comes in the wake of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the Sirika brothers, along with Enginos Nigeria Limited, of fraudulent activities related to aviation contracts. These contracts, totaling N19.4 billion, allegedly involved undue advantage conferred by Hadi Sirika on his brother’s company.

During the bail hearing, Sirika’s legal counsel, Micheal Noma (SAN), and Ahmad’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), underscored their clients’ cooperation with previous administrative bail terms and their status as responsible citizens. They emphasized the defendants’ adherence to EFCC requirements and highlighted their clean records and non-political affiliations.

The EFCC did not oppose the bail applications, citing the defendants’ past compliance with administrative bail conditions. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, representing the EFCC, expressed confidence that the set bail conditions would ensure the defendants’ availability for trial.

The Sirika brothers and Enginos Nigeria Limited are facing ten counts of alleged contract fraud, including the awarding of contracts without proper execution, resulting in significant financial losses. The EFCC aims to present evidence during the trial to substantiate the allegations of misuse of power and financial misconduct within the aviation sector.

The trial is scheduled to commence on May 28 and 29, marking a critical phase in the legal proceedings against the defendants. As the case unfolds, it sheds light on issues of corruption and accountability within Nigeria’s aviation industry, underscoring the need for transparency and integrity in public procurement processes.