The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not arraign a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad in a fresh multi-million fraud-related charges on Tuesday.
The fresh arraignment scheduled to take place today before Justice Sulaiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court could not go on as the EFCC legal team admitted not serving the charge sheet on the defendants.
The defendants were also absent from the proceedings.
Naijaonpoint previously reported that Sirika and his daughter were arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court over fraudulent practices associated with the Nigeria Air debacle.
EFCC charges
In the EFCC fresh charges, Sirika was accused of conferring unfair advantage on his brother while using him as leverage to divert billions from the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Count one of the charges reads,
What transpired in court
At the resumed proceedings, the EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe told the court that the prosecution had not been able to serve them with the charge.
He seized the moment to call for an adjournment to effect service.
Justice Belgore subsequently adjourned the arraignment to May 23, 2024.