From Dispatch Room
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has deferred ruling on an application seeking to halt the alleged ₦2.8 billion fraud trial involving former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, until the final judgment in the substantive case.
The matter, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is before Justice S.C. Oriji and involves Sirika, his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, and his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule.
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the defendants on an amended six-count charge bordering on alleged contract fraud linked to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company allegedly associated with Sirika’s daughter. According to the EFCC, the contracts under investigation were valued at about ₦2.83 billion.
During proceedings on Tuesday, counsel to the third defendant, Sanusi Musa (SAN), urged the court to prevent the prosecution from presenting any additional evidence in the matter. He also asked the court to expunge all evidence and exhibits already tendered before it and dismiss the charges entirely.
Musa argued that the EFCC commenced the prosecution based on what he described as an incomplete investigation and therefore should not be allowed to continue with the trial.
However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the law permits the prosecution to introduce further evidence during the course of a criminal trial.
Jacobs argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 allows the filing of additional evidence and exhibits at any stage before final judgment is delivered. He further maintained that several decisions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal support the admissibility of further proof in ongoing criminal proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji held that while defendants have the right to raise objections before judgment is delivered, the issues raised in the motion were closely connected to the substantive allegations before the court.
“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 said.
“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 and I so direct,” he added.
Following the ruling, the court adjourned the matter until June 10, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.
The development means the application seeking to terminate the case, expunge already tendered evidence, and dismiss the charges will now be determined alongside the court’s final judgment in the substantive trial.
— Newspot Nigeria
