‘₦2.7bn Fraud’: Court docket adjourns Hadi Sirika’s trial until Dec 9

Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Excessive Court docket, Maitama, has adjourned until December 9, 2025, the adoption of written addresses by the prosecution and defence counsel within the trial inside trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.

Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, on six counts bordering on abuse of workplace and cash laundering to the tune of ₦2.7 billion. The previous minister is accused of conferring undue benefit on Al Buraq International Funding Restricted, an organization linked to his daughter, whereas serving in workplace.

At Tuesday’s listening to, October 28, 2025, Justice Oriji directed each events to file and trade their written addresses in keeping with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Prison Justice Act (ACJA).

The order adopted claims by the 2nd and third defendants that their statements to the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) weren’t made voluntarily.

Throughout his testimony, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Christopher Odofin, who appeared as Prosecution Witness 12 (PW12), instructed the courtroom on Monday, October 27, 2025, that the defendants weren’t arrested however invited to the Fee within the presence of their attorneys.

“They each gave their statements freed from duress or intimidation. Neither had been they pressured nor promised something,” Odofin acknowledged.

Justice Oriji thereafter ordered: “The defendants are directed to file and serve their respective written addresses of the trial inside trial inside 14 days from October 29, 2025. The prosecution shall additionally file and serve its written handle inside 14 days from the date of service of the final written handle of the defendants.”