Alleged 2.7b Fraud: Court grants former Aviation Minister, Sirika bail, as he pleads not guilty

A former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika has pleaded not guilty to the alleged corrupt practices involving about N2.7 billion brought against him by the FG

Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the Federal High Court in Abuja along with his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma & a firm — Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

The daughter & son-in-law also pleaded not guilty to the 6-count charges.

Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers moved applications for their bail which was granted by the judge

Justice Oriji admitted the three defendants on bail for N100m & two sureties each in the like sum

The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without express permission of the court

If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Orijin ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody till the time of perfection of bail conditions.

The court fixed June 10th for the commencement of the trial.