Our reporter/ A former aviation minister Hadi Sirika on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the alleged corrupt practices involving about N2.7 billion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
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, and a firm – Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
The daughter and son-in-law also pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when read to them.
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 ₦100m and two sureties each in the like sum.
The sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses while one of them must have landed property with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
The judge also 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 June 10th for the commencement of the trial.
Sirika served under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
The charge sheet allegedly that Sirika used his position as a minister to fraudulently award contracts to his daughter, son-in-law, and associates.
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