A court in Abuja, on Thursday, granted bail to the former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.
His daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and in-law, Jalal Hamma, were also granted bail by the court.
Sirika, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, faced charges in court related to alleged N2.7bn fraud involving the failed Nigerian Air project, as per the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The defendants, after pleading not guilty to all charges, were granted bail by Justice Sylvanus Orji.
Sirika faced a 6-count amended criminal charge before Justice Oriji.
Rotimi Jacobs SAN, the prosecution counsel, informed the court about the amended charge and it was not objected by the defendants' counsel.
Sirika's lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court about the bail application dated May 6.
The other defendants also presented their bail applications and requested leniency in the bail conditions.
Jacobs mentioned that all the defendants were on administrative bail and requested the court to set bail conditions that would ensure their appearance for trial.
After hearing all the parties, Justice Orji granted bail to each defendant in the amount of 100m with two sureties each.
He also stated that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in a similar amount within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge also required the sureties to provide an affidavit of means and prohibited the defendants from traveling abroad without court permission.
Justice Orji added that failure to meet the bail conditions would result in the defendants being held in a correctional facility.
He said, “I admit the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendant to bail in the sum of 100 million each with 2 sureties of like sum.
“One of the sureties must have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
“The defendants must not travel outside the country.
“Any of them who is unable to fulfil the bail conditions will be remanded in the correctional centre.
The trial was subsequently scheduled for 10, 11 and 20 June.
