Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, appeared in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday, where he denied allegations of corrupt practices involving approximately N4.135 billion, brought against him by the federal government.
Sirika, along with his daughter Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm named Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, were arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
Both Sirika’s daughter and son-in-law pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges presented to them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the federal government.
Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers applied for bail, which was granted by the Judge.
Justice Oriji granted bail to the three defendants in the sum of N100 million each, along with two sureties each in the same amount.
The sureties are required to be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses. One of the sureties must possess landed property with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
The Judge also ordered that the defendants must not leave the country without the express permission of the court.
In the event that they are unable to meet the bail conditions, Justice Oriji ordered that they be remanded in prison custody until the bail conditions are fulfilled. The court scheduled the trial of the defendants for June 11.
