FCT High Court Adjourns Hadi Sirika’s ₦19.4bn Fraud Trial as EFCC Counsel Fails to Appear
The trial of former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika and three co-defendants over an alleged ₦19.4 billion fraud was adjourned on Monday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja after the prosecution counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was absent.
The proceedings were scheduled to allow the defence to cross-examine the third prosecution witness, Isaiah Yesufu, who serves as Director of Compliance at the Bureau of Public Procurement.
When the case was called, Joseph Kwahar appeared on behalf of Sirika’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
Counsel to the second defendant, Hafiz Matanmi, told the court that the defence had received a letter from the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, requesting that Monday’s proceedings be cancelled. He added that the prosecution had indicated its intention to continue the trial on Tuesday.
The defence team did not oppose the request.
Consequently, Justice Suleiman Belgore adjourned the case until Tuesday to allow the trial to resume and the cross-examination of Yesufu to proceed.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his younger brother, Ahmad Abubakar, and two companies, Al-Buraq Limited and Enginos Nigeria Limited.
The four defendants are facing a 10-count charge filed by the EFCC over allegations including abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and using official positions for personal gratification.
According to the anti-graft agency, Sirika allegedly awarded contracts worth approximately ₦19.4 billion to his younger brother through the two companies while serving as Minister of Aviation.
However, all the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
