The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, alongside three others, Fatima Hadi Sirika, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, before Justice S.C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja. They were arraigned on Thursday, May 9, 2024, on six amended charges relating to contract fraud amounting to N2,825,032,220.97.
Count one of the charges alleges that Hadi Abubakar Sirika, during his tenure as Minister of Aviation between April 2022 and March 2023, unfairly advantaged TIANAERO NIGERIA LIMITED, an entity associated with his associate, PROF. GABRIEL TILMANN. It is claimed that he influenced the awarding of a consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up, amounting to N1,326,731,470.97. Count two accuses Sirika of similarly conferring undue advantage upon AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD, linked to his daughter and son-in-law, for the contract concerning the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, worth N1,498,300,750.00.
Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, presented an amended six-count charge and requested the defendants to enter their pleas. Defense counsels, including Kanu Agabi, SAN, representing Hadi Sirika, did not contest the request. Consequently, Justice Oriji allowed the defendants to plead, to which they all declared their innocence.
Upon the plea, defense counsels highlighted bail applications, which the prosecution did not oppose. Justice Oriji granted bail to all defendants at N100 million each, with two sureties each possessing landed properties in Abuja with valid Certificates of Occupancy signed by the Minister of the FCT, accompanied by affidavits of means. Additionally, the defendants were prohibited from traveling abroad without court permission. Pending the fulfillment of bail conditions, they were remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The trial is scheduled to commence on June 10, 11, and 20.
