Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika left his fate at the hands of God on Thursday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following his alleged corrupt practices involving N4.135 billion brought against him by the federal government.
Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm called Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
The daughter and son-in-law also pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when read to them.
They were put on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the federal government.
Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers filed applications for their bail, which was granted by the judge.
Consoling his grieving daughter in court, Sirika, while speaking in Hausa, said, “Annabawa ma sun je,” which translates to “Even prophets went to prison.”
In a video making the rounds on social media, his daughter, Fatima, was seen crying after the proceedings in court.
Comforting his daughter, the embattled minister said, “It is enough. Why cry when you have God? It is enough. Even prophets went to prison.
“Haven’t the prosecutors finished theirs? We will see what God will do.”
Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers filed applications for their bail, which was granted by the judge.
While Kanu Agabi SAN argued bail for Sirika, Mahmoud Magaji SAN stood for Fatima, and Sunusi Musa SAN made a case for Jalal Sule Hamma.
Michael Numa, SAN, represented Al Buraq Global Investment Limited at Thursday’s proceedings.
Although the bail request was opposed by the federal government counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, Justice Orijin admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N100m and two sureties each in the same sum.
The judge ordered that the defendants not travel out of the country without the express permission of the court.
If they were unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Oriji ordered that they be remanded in prison custody until the time of the perfection of the bail conditions.
The court fixed June 10 and 11 for the resumption of the trial of the defendants.
