N4.135bn Fraud Allegation: Court Grants Former Aviation Minister, Sirika, Daughter N200m Bail

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja has admitted former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika and others to bail in the sum of N100 million each over alleged corrupt practices charges involving about N4. 135 billion brought by the federal government against him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Sirika before Justice Sylvanus Oriji alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited for alleged abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.

According to the charge sheet, Sirika allegedly used his position as the Minister of Aviation to fraudulently award contracts to his daughter, son-in-law, and associates. However, they all pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when read to them.

Following their denial of the six counts charge slammed on them by the anti-graft agency, their respective lawyers moved applications for their bail which was granted by the Judge.

At Thursday’s court proceedings, Senior Lawyer and former Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN) argued bail for Sirika while Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) stood for Fatima and Sunusi Musa (SAN) represented Jalal Sule Hamma. The company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited was represented by Micheal Numa (SAN).

Despite opposition to the bail request by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel to the federal government, Justice Origi admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N100M and two sureties each in the like sum.

The Court maintained that the sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses and must depose to an affidavit of means while one of them must have landed property in Abuja with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.

Also, the Court restricted all the defendants from traveling abroad without express permission from it, adding that if they are unable to meet their bail conditions, they should be remanded in prison.

After arresting Sirika in April and detaining him for days, the EFCC grilled the former Minister on the botched Nigeria Air project, alleged conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation when he held sway at the aviation ministry.

Part of the accusations against them are consultancy contract fraud for Nigerian Air (N1,326,731,670.97), contract for Apron Extension at Katsina Airport (N1,498,300,750.00 ); and gratification (N1,310,142,051.16)

Indicating the defendants committed the alleged offense between April 2022 and March 2023, the Charge sheet also stated that all the offences are contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000; Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004; and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.

Part of the charge read; “That you – Hadi Abubakar Sirika – while being the minister of Aviation between April 2022 and March 2023, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Tianaero Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego Prof. Gabriel Tilmann, is your Associate by using your position to influence the award to them, the consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up and extension of same for the sum of N1,326,731,670.97 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section

“That you – Hadi Abubakar Sirika while being the Minister of Aviation on or about 16th August 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited whose alter ego Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, for the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

“That you Hadi Abubakar Sirika, while being the Minister of Aviation and in such capacity as a public officer on or about 18th August 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court entrusted with certain property to wit the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by being dishonestly connected with the illegal award of contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, to and for the benefit of Al Buraq Global Investment Limited whose alter egos are Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma, your daughter, and son-in-law respectively and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same section.

The court fixed June 10 and 11 for resumption of trial of the defendants.

Aside from serving under former President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister, Sirika was a member of the House of Representatives, and also went on to serve as Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011.