Hadi Abubakar Sirika
Justice Slyvanus C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has adjourned till December 9, 2025, for the adoption of written addresses by the parties in the Trial-Within-Trial (TWT) of a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.
Sirika is being tried alongside his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, and a son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, on six-count charges bordering on abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N2.7 billion.
Specifically, the former Minister is facing prosecution for allegedly conferring undue advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter while serving as Aviation Minister
At the resumed hearing of the matter for the trial-within-trial on Tuesday, Justice Oriji ordered the counsel to file and serve their written addresses to determine compliance with ACJA Section 15 (4) and 17 (2).
The judge ordered for the adoption of trial-within-trial following the claims of the 2nd and 3rd defendants that the statements they made to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were not made voluntarily.
The judge therefore ordered for a trial-within-trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily and in compliance with ACJA Section 15 (4) and 17 (2).
The Investigation Officer and Prosecution Witness (PW) 12, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Christopher Odofin stated while giving his examination in chief on Monday, had told the court that both the 2nd and 3rd defendants were not arrested but invited to the Commission and in the presence of their lawyers. “They both gave their statements, free of duress, intimidation, and neither were they forced nor promised anything”, he said.
Responding to the submissions and testimonies made, Justice Oriji ordered that, “the defendants are directed to file and serve their respective written addresses of the trial within trial within 14 days from October 29, 2025. Prosecution is also directed to file and serve its written address of the trial within trial within 14 days from the date of service of the last written address of the defendant”
