The arraignment of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and his brother Ahmad Sirika for alleged contract fraud worth N19.4 billion was postponed on Tuesday due to their absence in court.
The case was scheduled to be heard at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Garki, Abuja. However, the defendants were not present, and they had also not been served with the charge.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the presiding judge, Suleiman Belgore, about the absence of the Sirikas and their lack of service with the charge. Additionally, it was mentioned that they were out of Abuja.
In light of this, the prosecutor requested an adjournment, which the judge granted. The arraignment has now been rescheduled for Thursday, May 23rd.
The charges against the former Aviation Minister involve alleged abuse of office by awarding aviation contracts to Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger brother, Ahmad.
This would have been the second arraignment for Hadi Sirika within a week, following the previous one on May 9th for alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud, also at the High Court of the FCT. In that case, Sirika, along with his daughter, son-in-law, and a company, were arraigned on six counts and granted bail.
