The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Garki, on Tuesday, on an eight-count charge.
Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatima, had previously been arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the FCT, Maitama, last Thursday, alongside Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for alleged abuse of office amounting to N2.7 billion.
The charges stem from allegations that Sirika exploited his position as Minister of Aviation to fraudulently award contracts to family members and associates.
The EFCC alleges that he awarded contracts to his daughter, son-in-law, and associates, leveraging his ministerial office for personal gain.
Upon their arraignment last week, a Federal Capital Territory High Court granted bail to Sirika and his co-defendants in the sum of N100 million each, with stringent conditions.
The court required two sureties with landed properties in Abuja to stand for them, alongside other conditions such as deposition to an affidavit of means and a restriction on international travel without court permission.
The court ruled that failure to meet bail conditions would result in remand in prison, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against them.
Sirika’s arrest by the EFCC in April came after days of detention and interrogation regarding various allegations, including the botched Nigeria Air project, conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation during his tenure as Minister of Aviation.
The former minister, who had previously served as a member of the House of Representatives and later as a senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, has been embroiled in controversy since leaving office, facing legal scrutiny over his actions while in government.
