The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday, arraigned and granted bail of N100 million each to a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatima and two others.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, ordered the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Centre should they failed to meet the bail conditions.
Sirika, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari administration
alongside Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Durag Investment Ltd was docked on a 6-count amended criminal charge over abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.
Before plea taking, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by counsel to the defendants.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty, and Jacobs urged the court for expeditious hearing of the case.
Sequel to not guilty plea, Kanu Agabi SAN, counsel for Sirika (1st defendant) informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.
Reacting, Jacobs told the court that all the defendants are on administrative bail and urged the court to grant bail on the condition that will make them appear for their trials.
Meanwhile, ruling on the bail application, Justice Oriji granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.
The court held that the sureties must own landed property within the FCT with valid land titles and must depose to an affidavit of means.
The court also restricted the defendants from traveling abroad without its permission.
Justice Oriji ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody if they fail to meet up with the bail conditions.
Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till 10, 11, and 20 June for commencement of trial.
