The Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatimah, and son, Jalal Hamma, from traveling out of the country.
Justice Sylvanus Orji ruled that he should not leave the country pending the conclusion of his N2.7bn fraud trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday on six counts, borders with fraud N2.7bn.
They were raided with Al-Buraq Investment Ltd.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Sirika abused his office by awarding a N1.3bn consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
The commission said that in this, the former minister acted against Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, 2000.
In another account, the anti-graft agency said that on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika “used your position to confer an unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma. , I am your daughter and son respectively, using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the extension of the Apron at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1. ,498,300,750.00”.
The anti-graft agency said therefore, Sirika violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, 2000 and was subject to punishment under the same section.
In count three, the EFCC charged Sirika with criminal breach of trust “while he was the Minister of Aviation and in such capacity as a public officer on August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court “.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
After an application for bail by the defense lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), the defendants were each granted bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties in the same sum.
The judge said that one of the guarantors must own land with valid land titles in the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge also held that the sureties must deposit an affidavit of means while he prevented the defendants from traveling outside the coasts of the country without permission.
Justice Orji added that failure to comply with the conditions of the lease would earn the accused a stay in a correctional facility.
He stated: “I admitted the first, second and third accused for bail in the sum of 100 m each with two guarantees of the same sum.
“One of the guarantees must have a land property in the Federal Capital Territory. The accused must not travel outside the country.
“Any of them who are not able to fulfill the conditions of the lease will be sent back to the correctional center.”
The trial was later set for June 10, 11 and 20.
