Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court sitting in Garki has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is facing charges of alleged fraud amounting to ₦19.4 billion.
Justice Belgore set the bail at ₦100 million with two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must possess landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Sirika is restricted from traveling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
The court also granted bail to the second defendant, Ahmad Sirika, under identical terms and conditions.
Fresh Charges Against Sirika
Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Hadi Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, with over ₦19.4 billion in fraud related to aviation ministry contracts awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar.
The EFCC previously charged Sirika, his daughter Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited with fraud amounting to ₦2.7 billion.
Following bail, the EFCC presented fresh charges against Sirika.
The new charges allege that Sirika, as Minister of Aviation, used his position to unfairly benefit Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of contracts.
These include a ₦1,345,586,500 contract for constructing a terminal building at Katsina Airport and a ₦3,811,497,685 contract for establishing a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at the same airport.
Additionally, Sirika is accused of awarding a ₦615,195,275 contract for procuring and installing lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for the Aviation House in Abuja.
The EFCC contends that Sirika, between August 2022 and May 2023, possessed an aggregate sum of ₦2,337,840,674.16, knowing it indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conduct.
After hearing arguments on Thursday, the court granted bail to the former minister and his brother, setting the trial dates for May 28th and 29th, 2024.
