Court adjourns Sirika’s trail till November 15

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has postponed the trial of former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika until November 15.

Sirika, along with his daughter Fatima Sirika, son-in-law Jalal Hamma, and their company, Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited, face six counts related to abuse of office and contract fraud, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former minister, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of misusing his position by awarding contracts to a firm in which his family members had interests.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses violate Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000, as well as Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004. Additionally, they are also punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Oriji upheld the EFCC’s objection to the admissibility of a document proposed by Michael Numa (SAN), representing the first and fourth defendants (Hadi Sirika and Al-Buraq).

The judge ruled against the document’s admission, noting that the critical issue was whether Al-Buraq Investment Limited had been approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement, as indicated by the prosecution witness.

He pointed out that the matter at hand concerned whether the document could be presented through the witness for cross-examination, referencing Sections 222(2), 232, and 233(c) of the relevant statutes.

Justice Oriji explained that Section 222(2) allows a witness to provide oral evidence or statements that are pertinent to the case, but he found that this did not apply in this instance. He remarked, “It is essential that a cross-examiner establishes a connection between the witness and the document before it can be tendered.”

In this case, he noted that the cross-examiner had not shown the witness the document in question. He acknowledged that in a previous session, a copy of the document had been presented to the witness, who claimed not to recognize it.

“What is being submitted today is another original version of the document. Furthermore, no connection was established between the witness and the document, which is necessary for its admissibility,” he added.

He concluded by rejecting the document, stating, “The letter dated June 6, 2022, from the Bureau of Public Procurement to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation is hereby marked ‘Rejected 1.’”

The court subsequently dismissed the same document when it was presented again by the counsel for the third defendant, Jalal Sule Hamma.

In his testimony, the fourth prosecution witness, Isaiah Yusuf, stated that Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited was not listed as a bidder in the request submitted to the Bureau of Public Procurement.

After hearing the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Justice Oriji adjourned the trial until November 15 for further proceedings.