A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has deferred its ruling on an application seeking to terminate the ongoing ₦2.8 billion fraud trial involving former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, until the day of final judgment.
Justice S.C. Oriji announced the decision on Tuesday, ruling that the application filed by one of the defendants would be considered alongside the substantive case in line with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Sirika, his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, and his son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule over an alleged contract fraud involving ₦2,825,032,220.97 linked to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company allegedly associated with the former minister’s daughter.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the third defendant, Sanusi Musa, SAN, urged the court to discontinue the trial, arguing that the prosecution filed the case based on what he described as an incomplete investigation.
The defence further asked the court to stop the EFCC from presenting additional evidence, expunge all exhibits already tendered, and dismiss the charges in their entirety.
According to Musa, the prosecution should not be allowed to continue with the trial after allegedly failing to conclude its investigations before filing the charges.
However, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the application, relying on provisions of the ACJA which permit the filing of additional evidence and exhibits at any stage before judgment is delivered.
Jacobs argued that both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal had, in several decisions, upheld the admissibility of supplementary evidence during ongoing criminal proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji observed that while defendants are entitled to challenge issues relating to criminal charges before judgment, the application before the court was closely connected to the substantive allegations already being tried.
The judge held that judicial prudence required the court to consider the motion together with the main case rather than deliver a separate ruling at this stage.
“This motion is not challenging the validity of the charge. However, the issues and prayers in this application are inextricably tied or connected to the determination of the charge,” the judge stated.
“Therefore, in my view, judicial prudence dictates that it is better to deliver the ruling on the motion along with the judgment on the charge after the trial.”
The decision means that the trial will continue, with the court reserving its position on the application until the final determination of the case.
Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned proceedings until June 10, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
The case remains one of the most closely watched corruption trials in recent years, with the EFCC alleging that public funds were fraudulently channelled through contracts awarded to a company linked to members of Sirika’s family.
With the court declining to halt proceedings, attention now shifts to the next hearing as prosecutors continue efforts to prove the allegations against the former minister and his co-defendants.
About The Author
