Court Dismisses EFCC Evidence in Hadi Sirika Fraud Case

On Thursday, a high court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Judge Sylvanus Oriji, rejected crucial evidence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing N2.8 billion fraud trial involving former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. The court ruled that extra-judicial statements made by two co-defendants, Fatima Sirika and her husband Jalal Hamma, were inadmissible due to non-compliance with Section 15(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The defense argued that the statements were not made voluntarily and were obtained under pressure. The EFCC maintained that the process complied with the law, asserting that video recording of statements is not compulsory.

However, the court concluded that the failure to comply with relevant provisions rendered the statements invalid. The trial, which includes charges of contract fraud linked to the award of contracts during Sirika's tenure from 2015 to 2023, is set to continue on June 2, 2025.