By EDITH NWAPI

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to arraign ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, before Justice Suleman Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on fresh charge was stalled due to absence of the suspects.

Sirika and two others were supposed to be arraigned by the EFCC for offence bordering on financial malfeasance relating to the botched Nigeria Air.

The prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the defendants were absent, adding that he was informed by their counsel that they were out of Abuja and could not make it to court.

He, therefore, sought an adjournment to enable the defendants attend court to take their pleas.

The court therefore adjourned until May 23 for arraignment of tSirika and others.

The scheduled arraignment is coming barely a week after Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, also of the FCT High Court, sitting at Maitama on an alleged N4.135billion fraud.

He was arraigned alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma and a company Al Daruq Investment Limited on a six-count charge bordering on contract fraud, corruption and gratification.

The offence allegedly committed by the former minister and others, according to the prosecution, were contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

The anti0graft agency also said the offence contravened the provisions of and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory andpunishable under the same sections.

They were subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million each with two sureties in the sum. (NAN)