Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has adjourned the adoption of written addresses by both the prosecution and defence counsel in the trial within trial of former Aviation Minister Hadi Abubakar Sirika to December 9, 2025.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, on six counts bordering on abuse of office and money laundering amounting to N2.7 billion. He is accused of allegedly granting undue advantage to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter, during his tenure as Aviation Minister.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Oriji directed counsel to file and serve their written addresses to determine compliance with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The directive follows claims by the second and third defendants that their statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were not made voluntarily.
Prosecution witness 12, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Christopher Odofin, testified that the defendants were not arrested but invited and gave their statements voluntarily in the presence of their lawyers, free from coercion or inducement.
Justice Oriji subsequently ordered the defendants to file and serve their written addresses within 14 days from October 29, 2025, while the prosecution must do the same within 14 days after receiving the last defendant’s address.