The Economic and Financial Crimes Commisssion, EFCC, could not continue with the scheduled arraignment of Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika; and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, fo an alleged contract fraud in the sum of ₦19.4 billion following the absence of the defendants from court on Tuesday.
According to reports, when the matter was called up, Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the presiding judge, Justice Suleiman Belgore, that the ex-minister and his brother have also not been served with the charge in the case.
He, therefore, prayed for an adjournment to enable the plaintiff ensure proper service, an appeal which was granted by the judge.
Justice Belgore subsequently fixed Thursday May 23, 2024 for arraignment.
The former minister and his brother are this time being arraigned on an- eight – count charge by the EFCC to the tune of ₦19.4bn.
The sum is said to be for several aviation ministry contracts from the former minister to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother, Abubakar.
It would be recalled that Sirika was also on Thursday last week arraigned alongside his daughter Fatima, and son-in-law before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, on an alleged ₦2.7bn fraud.
They pleaded not guilty and are presently on bail for that case.
