An FCT High Court has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay the required certification fees for certain documents it tendered as evidence in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and three co-defendants.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima; his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma; and Al-Buraq Investment Limited. The EFCC has accused the former minister of abusing his office by using his influence to award a N1.49 billion contract for the apron extension at Katsina Airport to Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited and his relatives.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offences contravened the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the EFCC Establishment Act 2004, and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
At Monday’s resumed hearing, the prosecution sought to tender several documents through its ninth witness, Mathias Maiyaki Vyonku, a retired General Manager with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
However, defence counsels, including Senior Advocates Sunusi Musa and Michael Numan, objected to the admissibility of some of the documents. They argued that the documents were either improperly certified or lacked consistency in agency identification—one referencing the Nigerian Midstream and Upstream sector, while the document tendered was issued by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
They also noted that some certified true copies had not been paid for, as required under the Evidence Act, and urged the court to reject those documents.
Responding, prosecuting counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe maintained that the defence had not opposed the cover letter to which the documents were attached. He argued that the attachments should be admitted in whole, and that public institutions like the EFCC should not be required to pay for certification.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, however, ruled that the EFCC must pay the certification fees, noting that the government’s need for revenue could not be ignored. He ordered the prosecution to pay the relevant fees and re-present the documents accordingly.
The judge granted an adjournment at the prosecution’s request, which was not opposed by the defence. The case was adjourned until May 6 for continuation of hearing.
Earlier, PW9 testified that the EFCC had written to the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority in March 2024 seeking information on the third defendant, Jalal Sule Hamma. In response, the agency confirmed that Hamma was employed in 2021 and later voluntarily withdrew his service after being confirmed for a permanent position. Relevant documents, including Hamma’s appointment letter and notice of withdrawal, were submitted to the EFCC.
The prosecution subsequently tendered those documents in court.
(NAN)