A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory FCT has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, who is under probe over alleged N4. 135 billion fraud.
Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on Thursday, May 9 and he denied the alleged corrupt practices brought against him by the federal government.
The ex-minister was charged alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma and a firm – Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
The daughter and son-in-law earlier arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also pleaded not guilty to the six count charges against them.
Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective legal counsels moved applications for their bail which was granted by the Judge.
Justice Origi admitted the three defendants on bail in the sum of N100 millon (Hundred million naira) and two sureties each in the like sum.
The sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses, while one of them must have landed property with certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without the express permission of the court.
If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Orijin ordered that they be remanded in prison custody till the time of perfection of bail conditions. The court adjourned to June 11 for commencement of trial.
