On Thursday, the FCT High Court admitted former aviation minister Hadi Sirika and his brother Abubakar to N100 million bail each and two sureties each in like sum.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Mr Sirika, his brother and a company, Enginos Nigeria Ltd, with eight counts of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification.
Justice Suleiman Belgore, in his ruling on the defendants’ bail applications, held that he found merit in their bail applications.
“I find considerable merit in this application. He is a presumably innocent fellow not likely to jump bail. He deserves to be granted bail and I so do,” the judge held.
The judge adopted the terms and conditions of bail granted to the former minister in a sister case marked CR/348/ 2024, in which the defendant is standing trial alongside his daughter and son-in-law.
In his ruling, the judge said, “I see no reason to depart from the bail terms granted to him in that suit.”
He later adjourned until May 28 for the commencement of trial.