Arraignment of Hadi and Ahmad Sirika Postponed Due to Non-Appearance
The much-anticipated arraignment of former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, on charges of contract fraud involving a staggering 19.4 billion Naira, faced an unexpected delay today as the defendants failed to appear in court.
Representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe respectfully informed the presiding judge, Suleiman Belgore, that the defendants had not yet been served with the charges related to the case. This procedural hurdle rendered it impossible for the legal proceedings to move forward as initially planned.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the prosecution revealed that both Hadi and Ahmad Sirika were presently not in Abuja, further complicating their ability to attend the court session. Recognizing the legitimacy of these challenges, the presiding judge granted the prosecution’s request for a postponement.
As a result, the arraignment, which was initially slated for today, has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 23rd. This delay underscores the intricacies involved in navigating high-profile legal cases and highlights the importance of adhering to due process and procedural fairness.
The case against the Sirika brothers has drawn significant attention from the public and the media due to the gravity of the allegations leveled against them. With the arraignment now set for May 23rd, all parties involved will have additional time to prepare for the legal proceedings ahead.
Stakeholders will continue to closely monitor developments in the case, as the legal battle between the EFCC and the Sirika brothers unfolds in the coming days.
