Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, alongside his daughter, son-in-law, and a firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, pleaded not guilty to alleged corrupt practices involving approximately N2.7 billion.
They were arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The judge granted them bail at ₦100 million each with two sureties, requiring verifiable addresses and one with landed property in the FCT. They were also prohibited from traveling abroad without court permission. In case of inability to meet bail conditions, they would be remanded in prison custody until fulfilled.
The trial is set to commence on June 10th. Sirika, who served under former president Muhammadu Buhari, faced charges including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864 during his tenure. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged fraudulent awarding of contracts to family members and associates.
Additionally, in February, Sirika’s brother, Abubakar Sirika, was arrested over an alleged contract fraud in the aviation ministry.
