A FEDERAL Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday deferred its ruling on an application seeking to discontinue the alleged N2.8 billion fraud trial involving former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, until the day judgment will be delivered in the substantive case.
News Point Nigeria reports that Justice S.C. Oriji announced the decision during proceedings in the matter instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Sirika, his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, and his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule.
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the defendants on an amended six-count charge bordering on alleged contract fraud involving Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company allegedly linked to Sirika’s daughter. According to the EFCC, the contracts at the centre of the case were worth N2.83 billion.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the third defendant, Sanusi Musa (SAN), urged the court to prevent the prosecution from presenting any further evidence in the matter.
The senior advocate also asked the court to expunge all evidence and exhibits already tendered before it and dismiss the charges against the defendants.
Musa argued that the prosecution initiated the case based on what he described as an incomplete investigation and therefore should not be permitted to continue with the trial.
However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the law allows the prosecution to introduce additional evidence during the course of a criminal trial.
Jacobs argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 permits the filing of further evidence and exhibits at any stage before the delivery of final judgment.
He further submitted that several decisions of both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal support the admissibility of additional proof in an ongoing criminal proceeding.
Ruling on the application, Justice Oriji held that although defendants have the right to raise objections before judgment is delivered, the issues raised in the motion were closely connected to the substantive allegations before the court.
“This motion is not challenging the validity of the charge. However the issues and prayers in this application are inextricably tied or connected to the determination of the charge.
“Therefore, in my view, judicial prudence dictates that it is better to deliver the ruling on the motion along with the judgment on the charge after the trial and I so direct,” the judge said.
Following the ruling, the court adjourned the matter until June 10, 2026, for the continuation of trial proceedings.
The decision means the application seeking to terminate the case, expunge existing evidence and dismiss the charges will now be determined alongside the court’s final judgment in the substantive trial.