The scheduled arraignment of the immediate-past Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika by the Economic and Finiacial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday over allegations of corruption and abuse of office, was stalled due to the absence of the accused persons in Court.
Sirika and his brother Ahmad Abubakar who is the second defendant were absent in court to answer to an 8 count charge bothering on alleged contract forgery and abuse of office levied against them by the Anti-graft agency.
When the matter was called up in Court on Tuesday, the Prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe told the Court that the defendants were not within jurisdiction and that they have not been served with the charge.
He therefore asked the Court for an adjournment to enable the Commission to serve the defendants and see that they are produced in Court to face trial.
The Defence lawyer, Olaniyi Anjorin aligned himself with the submissions of the Prosecution lawyer.
The trial Judge, Justice Sulaiman Belgore therefore adjourned to May 23, 2024 for hearing and possible arraignment.
Also joined as a co-defendant in case is a firm said to belong to Abubakar, Enginos Nigeria Limited, which was allegedly awarded the contracts.
ait.live reports that one of the charges reads; That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being Minister of Aviation, on or about 3rd November, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon ENGINOS NIGERIA LIMITED whose alter ego, AHMAD ABUBAKAR SIRIKA is your blood brother, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685.00 (Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Eleven Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Five Naira Only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
