The trial has begun at the High Court, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Garki, Abuja, on the amended ten-count charge levelled against the Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, and his junior brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika.
Hadi and Ahmad, were docked along with two companies – Enginos Nigeria Limited, and Samahah Integrated Investments Limited.
According to the charge as prepared by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the charge document marked: FCT/HC/CR/347/2024, the EFCC accused Sirika of awarding three contracts, valued at about N5,772,279,460.00 to a company – Enginos Nigeria Limited – owned by his brother, Ahmad.
The prosecutor called the first witness, Musa Odiniya, who retired on 5th May 2023, as the Director of Procurement in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The prosecutor, barrister Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who last week hinted that 12 witnesses had been lined up for the trial, called on Odiniya who took the court through the procurement procedures in the ministry and the processes for the award of the contract.
Although, the testimony was suddenly put on hold as the prosecutor surprisingly requested for adjournment.
However, and having informed the court of the rationale for the request for adjournment, the three defence lawyers, Magaji, Michael Numa, SAN, and Sunusi Musa, SAN, did not object to the request hence, Justice Belgore adjourned till 9 am on Wednesday, 29th May 2024
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