Gotcha! Court agrees to accept new evidence against ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika
Fresh proof presented in the litigation against former Minister, Sirika, and associates, supporting claims of a ₦2.7 billion deceitful transaction.
Courtroom dramas are heating up as Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has agreed to accept additional evidence against the former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.
Our trusted source reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is hot on Sirika's heels, filing legal action against him, his daughter Fatima Sirika, son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge related to abuse of office amounting to ₦2.7 billion.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, during the proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, prosecution counsel A.O. Atolagbe introduced the Ninth Prosecution Witness, PW9. PW9, a retired General Manager of Administration and Human Resources at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), testified about receiving a letter from the EFCC concerning the investigation of the third defendant, Hamma, in his role as GM of Administration and Human Resources, seeking information from the NNRA.
In response, the witness sent a letter confirming that Hamma was employed by the Authority in November 2021 but had resigned after two years before his confirmation. The witness also mentioned receiving another letter from the midstream and downstream oil sector, requesting information about Hamma. The documents relating to Hamma's employment, resignation, and return of the NNRA's properties were presented as evidence by Atolagbe.
However, Hamma's attorney, Sanusi Musa, SAN, and the attorney for the fourth defendant, M.J. Numa, SAN, opposed the presentation of these documents, citing the documents' lack of certification and relevance to the trial.
Atolagbe countered that where a document has attachments, such documents must be admitted with the attachments and that the court has the power to demand that such documents be made available and be admitted. He also mentioned that even if the attachments were not certified, the court could still accept them.
After reviewing the submission, Justice Oriji determined that the documents should be accepted as evidence, stating that the witness's examination and identification of the documents addressed the objections raised. The judge ruled that the documents cannot be dismissed solely on the ground of improper certification and mandated the payment of fees for the certified true copies.
The case has been postponed until May 6, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
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- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been actively pursuing the case against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, his family members, and associates in Abuja, Nigeria.
- In a related general news story, a Nigerian monarch and a pastor are currently facing prison time in the United States due to the Coronation Scam.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, billionaire investors are taking legal action against a former police chief on fraud allegations.
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