The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, permission to travel abroad with his sick mother for medical reasons. Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court delivered the ruling on the ex-minister’s motion.
Sirika, his daughter Fatima, and son-in-law Jalal Hamma were granted bail of N100 million each on May 9, 2024, in a fraud-related case brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The defendants were arraigned before Justice Oriji for alleged fraudulent practices associated with the Nigeria Air project and other matters.
During the arraignment, the court’s registrar read out amended charges against Sirika, his daughter, his son-in-law, and Al Buraq Investment Ltd, a company listed as a co-defendant. One of the charges accused Sirika of using his position as Minister of Aviation between April 2022 and March 2023 to confer an unfair advantage upon TIANAERO NIGERIA LIMITED, a company linked to his associate, by influencing the award and extension of a consultancy contract worth over N1.3 billion.
The ex-minister was also accused of using his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd, a company allegedly linked to his daughter and son-in-law, by influencing the award of a contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, valued at nearly N1.5 billion. The EFCC stated that these actions contravened Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial commenced. During the proceedings, Sirika’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), applied for leave, requesting the court to allow his client to travel outside Nigeria with his aged, sick mother for adequate medical attention. Justice Oriji reserved his ruling on the motion until Thursday, when he granted the ex-minister permission to travel abroad for medical reasons.