Hadi Sirika: “Even prophets went to prison”

Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation who is on trial for allegedly defrauding the government of ₦7.2 billion, has declared he is willing to serve a prison sentence and compared himself to the prophets.

The former minister, his son-in-law, daughter, and Al-Duraq Investment Limited have all been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with fraud related to the derailed Nigerian Air project.

Judge Sylvanus Orij arraigned Sirika, his daughter, and three other individuals on a six-count amended criminal complaint at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday.

The former minister was allegedly seen consoling his daughter in court and saying, “It’s okay,” in a video that was posted on X. It’s alright, Fatima.

“Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says.”

Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties each.

The sureties, according to the court, must have landed properties in Abuja and also responsible citizens.

Also, the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means. The court also restricted the defendants from travelling abroad without its permission.

Justice Oriji ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody if they failed to meet their bail conditions.

The allegations

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in April, took the ex-aviation minister into custody and grilled him for days.

The anti-graft agency then slammed six six-count charge on Hadi Sirika, his daughter, and two others.

The anti-graft agency accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on some entities between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja.

EFCC alleged that Sirika abused his office by awarding N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air start-up to Tianero  Nigeria Limited.

According to EFCC, his actions were contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Furthermore, in another count, EFCC alleged that on or about August 18, 2022 in Abuja, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma, are your daughter and son-in-law, respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.”

Therefore, the charge noted, Sirika violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. And that he was liable to punishment under the same section.