Court grants ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika, daughter, others N100m bail

Hadi Abubakar Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation has been granted 100 million bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The former Minister denied the allegations of corrupt practices involving N4. 135 billion brought against him by the federal government.

He was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji along with his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma and a firm – Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

His daughter and son-in-law also pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

The accused were put on trial by the anti-graft agency on behalf of the federal government.

Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers moved applications for their bail which was granted by the Judge.

Justice origin admitted the three defendants on bail in the sum of N100M and two sureties each in the like sum.

The sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses, while one of them must have landed property with certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister, Daily Post reports.

The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without the express permission of the court.

If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Orijin ordered that they be remanded in prison custody till the time of perfection of bail conditions.

The court fixed June 11 for trial of the defendants.