N2.7bn fraud: Court admits more evidence against ex-minister Sirika

The FCT High Court sitting in the Maitama area of Abuja, on Monday, May 5, 2025, admitted more evidence against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the former minister alongside his daughter Fatima Sirika, son in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on amended six-count charge, bordering on abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.

During Monday’s proceeding, the prosecution counsel, A.O Atolagbe, presented the ninth prosecution witness.

Led in his testimony by the prosecution counsel, the witness, a retired General Manager, Administration and Human Resources of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), disclosed that he received a letter from the EFCC regarding investigation on the third defendant, Hamma, in his capacity as GM Administration and Human Resources, requesting that NNRA furnished the commission with information about Hamma.

He disclosed that he sent a letter to the commission stating that Hamma was a staff of the Authority, duly employed in November 2021, but resigned his appointment after two years and prior to his confirmation.

The witness added that a few months later, the Authority received a letter from the midstream and downstream oil sector, also requesting information about Hamma to which he also replied.

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Information on Hamma sent to the EFCC included his letter of appointment, letter of request for withdrawal of service, approval for withdrawal of service, indication that Hamma paid one month in lieu of notice of disengagement, and list of the Authority’s properties in his possession, which he returned.

He further identified the documents, saying they were written on the letterhead paper of NNRA which was endorsed by him.

Atolagbe’s move for the documents to be tendered in evidence was objected to by Hamma’s counsel, Sanusi Musa (SAN), and that of the fourth defendant, M.J. Numa (SAN).

After listening to the submission, Justice S.C. Oriji held that the documents be admitted in evidence.

“The fact that the witness flipped through the documents and identified them cures the objections,” the judge said.

On the issue of payment for certified true copies, Justice Oriji held that the documents cannot be rejected simply on that basis and ordered that the fees be paid for certified true copies of the documents.

Justice Oriji, thereafter, adjourned the matter till May 6, 2025, for the continuation of trial.

The Star