For the second time, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on fresh N19.4Bn corruption charges.
Sirika was on Thursday docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT in Abuja alongside his brother Ahmad Sirika on 10 count amended charges.
The anti-graft agency in the amended charge alleged that the former minister awarded contracts to the tune of N19.4bn without following due process of the law.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Thereafter, Justice Suleiman Bolaji Belgore in a ruling on bail application admitted them to bail.
Specifically, Justice Belgore adopted the bail conditions earlier and slammed the ex-Minister in a sister charge at the FCT high court on the ground that Sirika has not faulted in the bail conditions.
The Judge also said Sirika is a family man with an aged mother to cater for and that as a former honourable member, it is only reasonable to grant him bail.
Justice Belgore said investigations regarding the allegations have been concluded by the anti-graft agency hence the defendant will not alter the cause of the investigation
The case was adjourned to May 28 and 29 for trial.
Again, EFCC arraigns ex-Aviation minister, Sirika on alleged N19 4bn contract fraud