BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Aviation Minister Sirika, Daughter N200M Bail

Former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, along with two others, was granted bail by a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, with each required to post N100 million.

The trio, including Sirika’s daughter Fatima, appeared before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, following arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Also facing charges were Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, accused of misusing office funds amounting to N2.7 billion.

The charges allege that Sirika misused his position as Minister of Aviation by illicitly awarding contracts to family members and associates. Sirika’s arrest by the EFCC in April, where he was held for several days, stemmed from investigations into the failed Nigeria Air project and allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure at the aviation ministry.

Formerly a member of the House of Representatives and later a senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, Sirika had served under former President Muhammadu Buhari and had a political history with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011.