The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, located in Abuja, issued a ruling on Thursday, placing travel restrictions on the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatimah, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma. This measure comes in light of their ongoing trial concerning alleged fraud amounting to N2.7 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously arraigned them on six counts related to the purported misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.
The EFCC accused Sirika of abusing his position by awarding a N1.3bn consultancy contract to Tianero Nigeria Limited for the Nigerian Air Start-up, which is said to be in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Additionally, they alleged that Sirika used his influence to award a contract worth N1.498 billion for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter and son-in-law.
Sirika, Fatimah, and Jalal pleaded not guilty to the charges. Despite their pleas, the court granted each defendant bail in the sum of N100 million with specific conditions. These conditions included providing two sureties of like sum, with one owning a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory and all defendants being barred from traveling abroad without permission. Failure to meet these conditions would result in remand in a correctional facility.
The trial dates were subsequently set for June 10, 11, and 20, marking the next steps in the legal proceedings against the defendants.
