Court grants bail to ex-aviation minister Hadi Sirika in N2.7bn fraud case

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and son-in-law, has been granted bail totalling N100 million each by the FCT High Court following fraud-related charges brought against them by the EFCC.

The charges stem from the alleged misappropriation of funds associated with the Nigeria Air project, among others, during Sirika’s tenure as Minister of Aviation under former President Buhari.

The court heard amended charges accusing Sirika of conferring undue advantage on certain entities and criminal breach of trust. Sirika, his daughter, and his son-in-law pleaded not guilty.

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about 18 August 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD whose alter ego, FATIMA HADI SIRIKA and JALAL SULE HAMMA are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira Only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act. 2000 and punishable under the same section.”

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation and in such capacity as a public officer on or about 18 August 2022. in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with certain property to wit the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira Only). committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by being dishonestly connected with the illegal award of contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, to and for the benefit of AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD whose alter ego are FATIMA HADI SIRIKA and JALAL SULE HAΜΜΑ, your daughter and son-in-law respectively and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 315 of the Penal Code Act. Cap. 532. Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same section.”

EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) sought an expeditious hearing, highlighting that the defendants previously failed to report to the EFCC after administrative bail.

Sirika’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, assuring his client’s compliance.

The judge granted bail but stipulated stringent conditions, including a N100 million bail sum, two sureties with Abuja properties, and a prohibition on foreign travel.

The case is adjourned to June for trial.

Three months prior, EFCC arrested Sirika’s brother over alleged contract fraud in the aviation ministry, implicating Sirika in financial misconduct totalling N8.07 billion during his tenure.

Sirika served as aviation minister from August 2019 to May 2023.