In a hearing at the Federal Capitol Territory FCT High Court, former Aviation Minister Hadi Abubakar Sirika refuted allegations of corrupt practices amounting to about N4.135 billion brought against him by the government.
Sirika, along with his daughter Fatima, son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm named Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, were presented before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
Upon being charged with six counts, the daughter and son-in-law pleaded not guilty and were subsequently placed on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the government.
Upon their denial of the charges, their lawyers sought bail for them, which was approved by the Judge.
Justice Oriji granted bail to the three defendants in the amount of N100 million each, with two sureties for each party required to match the sum.
The sureties should be reputable citizens with identifiable residential addresses, with one of them mandated to possess landed property with a certificate of occupancy endorsed by the FCT Minister.
The court ruled that the defendants are not allowed to travel abroad without the explicit consent of the court.
If they are unable to meet the bail conditions, Justice Oriji mandated that they be kept in prison until the conditions are met.
The trial for the defendants is scheduled for June 11.