Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, have been granted bail by Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Each of them was required to provide ₦100 million bail, with stringent conditions attached, reflecting the gravity of the charges against them.
The bail conditions demand that both defendants provide two sureties, one of whom must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory valued at a similar amount. Additionally, the court has imposed travel restrictions, stipulating that the Sirika brothers cannot leave Nigeria without prior permission from the court.
The decision to grant bail followed careful consideration of the bail application and a review of the conditions previously set by Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the same court. Justice Belgore noted that Hadi Sirika had met all the bail conditions, had no prior criminal record, and had cooperated with the ongoing investigation.
Similarly, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika was granted bail under the same terms and conditions as his brother.
The Sirika brothers, along with Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing a ten-count amended charge related to contract fraud amounting to ₦19.4 billion. The charges include accusations of conferring undue advantage on Ahmad Sirika and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, with no evidence of work done for the contracts awarded.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their lawyers appealed to the court for bail, emphasizing their clients’ cooperation and responsibility as citizens. The EFCC did not object to the bail application but stressed the importance of ensuring the defendants’ availability throughout the trial.
The court has scheduled the trial to commence on May 28 and 29.
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