Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has adjourned till December 9, 2025, the adoption of written addresses by the prosecution and defence counsel in the trial within trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.
Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, on six counts bordering on abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of ₦2.7 billion. The former minister is accused of conferring undue advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter, while serving in office.
At Tuesday’s hearing, October 28, 2025, Justice Oriji directed both parties to file and exchange their written addresses in line with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The order followed claims by the 2nd and 3rd defendants that their statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were not made voluntarily.
During his testimony, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Christopher Odofin, who appeared as Prosecution Witness 12 (PW12), told the court on Monday, October 27, 2025, that the defendants were not arrested but invited to the Commission in the presence of their lawyers.
“They both gave their statements free of duress or intimidation. Neither were they forced nor promised anything,” Odofin stated.
Justice Oriji thereafter ordered: “The defendants are directed to file and serve their respective written addresses of the trial within trial within 14 days from October 29, 2025. The prosecution shall also file and serve its written address within 14 days from the date of service of the last written address of the defendants.”