The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted additional evidence in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter Fatima Sirika, son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and their company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited. The quartet faces multiple charges bordering on alleged ₦2.7 billion fraud and abuse of office.
During the court session on Monday, May 5, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its ninth prosecution witness (PW9), a retired General Manager from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). The witness was called to testify regarding the employment history and professional background of Jalal Sule Hamma.
According to the witness, the EFCC had reached out to the NNRA to verify Hamma’s employment records. In response, the Authority provided key documents, including Hamma’s letter of appointment, his resignation letter, approval of his disengagement, and a record showing the return of NNRA property previously in his possession. These documents, the witness said, were officially endorsed and bore the letterhead of the NNRA.
The prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, submitted the documents to the court, arguing their relevance in proving the defendants’ alleged misrepresentation and misuse of official positions. However, the defence team raised strong objections.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sanusi Musa, representing Hamma, objected to the documents’ admissibility on several grounds. He argued that the documents lacked certification as true copies, did not confirm whether the letter originated from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) or the midstream oil sector, and failed to meet evidentiary standards.
Counsel for the fourth defendant, M.J. Numa, SAN, backed these objections, adding that no proper legal foundation had been laid to support the admission of the documents into evidence.
In response, Atolagbe countered that the documents were valid and complete as submitted. He referenced legal precedent—Textile Applied Products Ltd vs H Stephens Ltd—to support his position that documents with relevant attachments must be treated as a whole. He further insisted that there was no credible reason to doubt their authenticity.
After careful deliberation, Justice S.C. Oriji ruled in favour of the prosecution, admitting the documents as valid evidence. The judge noted that the documents had been clearly identified by the witness and that minor discrepancies were not sufficient grounds to dismiss their relevance.
However, Justice Oriji also directed the prosecution to ensure the documents are formally certified, instructing the EFCC to process and pay for certified true copies as required by law.
The trial was adjourned until today for continuation of proceedings. This case is part of the EFCC’s broader clampdown on corruption within public institutions and continues to draw national attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and the amount involved.
