EFCC’s failure to serve charge stalls ex-minister Sirika’s arraignment

The planned arraignment of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, was stalled on Tuesday due to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) inability to serve him with a copy of the charge.

Sirika, his brother Ahmad, and Enginos Nigeria Limited were scheduled to be arraigned on an eight-count charge related to a N19.4 billion airport contract scam before an Abuja High Court sitting at Garki.

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However, when the matter was called, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the trial judge, Suleiman Belgore, that the defendants had not been served with the charge. He requested a short adjournment, which was granted by Justice Belgore, adjourning the matter until May 23.

Notably, none of the defendants were present in court on Tuesday. The delay has raised questions about the EFCC’s preparedness in pursuing the case, and it remains to be seen how this development will impact the future of the trial.

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