In relation to new fraud-related allegations brought before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika and his brother Ahmad have been granted N200 million naira bail.
Additionally, the court has forbidden them from leaving the nation unless the court gives its approval.
Sirika was accused of giving his brother an unfair advantage and using him as leverage to siphon more than 19 billion naira from the Federal Ministry of Aviation in the EFCC’s new 10-count allegation, which was filed on Thursday.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that the former Minister engaged in the “illegal award” of contracts but the duo pleaded not guilty.
Nairametrics previously reported that Sirika, alongside his daughter, Fatima, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, were arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court over fraudulent practices associated with the Nigeria Air debacle.
Oriji had imposed a N300 million bail bond on them including two sureties in like sum.
Read also: Fresh Trouble For Sirika, EFCC To Arraign Ex-Minister, Brother On Fresh 8-Count Charge Today
Sirika served under former President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Aviation.
After the charges were read to them, Sirika’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), urged Justice Sulaiman Belgore to grant his client bail on liberal terms, saying his aged mother who is 90 years needs to be taken care of by the defendant.
He said the court should grant his client bail on the terms already granted him by his brother judge, Oriji, which included a 100 million bail bond each as well as sureties who must own properties in FCT.
Abubakar’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) equally asked the court to grant his client bail, saying he is a “responsible civil servant”.
EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the requests for bail, saying the anti-graft agency had already granted them administrative bail.
However, he said, “The bail that will be granted should be what will guarantee the availability of the defendants.”
After hearing from the legal team of all the parties, the judge observed that Sirika had never been convicted before while the investigation in the case had already been completed.
Read also: Alleged ₦2.7bn Fraud: Sirika, Daughter Arraigned, Plead Not Guilty, Get ₦100m Bail
He found merit in Sirika’s bail application.
The judge said the bail request is granted in line with the ruling of Justice Oriji’s terms, implying N100 million bail bond among others.
“I see no reason to depart from the terms of bail granted to him by my brother judge,” Belgore said.
The court equally granted his brother bail on the same terms granted by Justice Oriji.
The judge stressed that the duo should not travel outside Nigeria without express permission from the court.
After the ruling, the court subsequently adjourned to May 28 in the afternoon while May 29 will be in the morning.
