N19.4bn Fraud: Court Grants Sirika N100m Bail

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, have been granted bail in the sum of N100 million each and two sureties by Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Gatekeepers News reports that the court also ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory, in like sum. Additionally, the defendants are not to travel outside the shores of Nigeria without the permission of the court.

Justice Belgore stated, “I see no reason to depart from the conditions granted by my learned brother.”

He was referring to the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

The Sirika brothers and their company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing a ten-count amended charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of N19.4 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on his brother and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, through various contracts awarded during his tenure as Minister of Aviation.

The EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the bail application, but stated that the bail conditions should guarantee the availability of the defendants.

He added, “My lord is not bound by whatever your learned brother has imposed for conditions.”

The court fixed May 28 and 29 for trial.

The Sirika brothers and their company are accused of fraudulently receiving contracts worth billions of naira from the Aviation Ministry, which were never executed.

Sirika’s lawyer, Micheal Noma (SAN), and Ahmad’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), had appealed to the court to grant their clients bail, citing their good conduct and willingness to face trial.

Magaji stated, “The second defendant is a responsible citizen of Nigeria, and he has always shown up when called upon or necessary.”