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BREAKING: Alleged N19.4bn fraud: Court grants Sirika, brother N200m bail

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Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Thursday, granted the former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, bail in the sum of N100 million each and 2 sureties.

One of the sureties must own a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory, in like sum.

The court also held that the defendants are not to travel outside the shores of Nigeria without the permission of the court.

While delivering the ruling on the bail application, Justice Belgore held that “I see no reason to depart from the conditions granted by my learned brother”.

He then went ahead to grant them bail in the same condition as Justice Sylvanus Oriji, of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

Ruling on the motion on notice for the 1st defendant, Hadi Sirika, the court held that “The prosecution filed no counter affidavit. He is already on administrative bail, he met all the bail applications, he continues to abide by the bail conditions, he has never been convicted of any criminal offence in Nigeria, he is a recipient of National honours, he has an aged mother he is catering for an investigation in the case has been completed.

“It is my resolution that this applicant deserves to be admitted to bail and I so do,” Justice Belgore declared.

Concerning Sirika’s brother, ruling on the motion on notice, brought pursuant to Sections 158, 156 and 135 of ACJA, where he requested a sole relief (bail).

The trial judge granted him bail in the same terms and conditions as the 1st defendant (Sirika).

The Sirika brothers, and the company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing a ten-count amended charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of N19.4bn.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on his brother and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited.

The contracts for which the sums were paid for, were also said to be undone with no trace of work done to date.

After the duo were docked, the EFCC had read out the charges to them, which they pled not guilty to.

Sirika’s lawyer, Micheal Noma (SAN), appealed to the court to grant his client bail.

Likewise Ahmad’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN). He pleaded with the court to grant the 2nd defendant bail as he is a responsible citizen of Nigeria.

Noma said, “We urge your lordship to please grant the defendants bail.”

Magaji while putting out his grounds on why his client should be granted bail said, “The second defendant filed an application seeking the indulgence of this honourable court for bail.

“The said application is dated and filed May 20, 2024. We have served the complainants. The application is brought pursuant to Section 168, Section 162 and Section 163 of the ACJA 2015.

“The application is praying for the following orders. The order of this honourable court asking the defendant to bail pending the hearing and determination of this trial.

“Our application is predicated on 10 grounds. The application is also supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit. My lord the 2nd defendant himself, deposed to the affidavit. we seek to rely on all the deposition herein on page 8. We pray your lordship to grant all the deposition”.

Ahmad through his lawyer further appealed saying, “We urge your lordship to grant the application as prayed. The prosecution has not filed a counter. That to me shows the prosecution wants to quickly prove their case on the 2nd defendant.

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Wike at 58: “You’re a Shinning Star in my Cabinet, Tinubu hails Wike.

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President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.

President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.

The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.

President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.

The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.

President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.

“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.

“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025

 

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Lady cries out after her brother was knocked down by keke on his way to early morning test at UniAbuja, faces possible leg amputation

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A visibly distressed lady has cried out over a tragic accident involving her younger brother, a student of the University of Abuja.

According to her account, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when students were struggling to get to school for a test allegedly scheduled around 5 a.m.

She explained that while her brother and a coursemate were trying to cross the road in front of the University of Abuja, a commercial tricycle (keke), reportedly driving against traffic, knocked them down.

As of the time she shared the video, her brother was said to be unconscious and already being prepared for surgery. Doctors, she stated, described his condition as critical, adding that there was a possibility his leg might have to be amputated.

The lady further claimed that although the tricycle rider was arrested, there were moves to release him, and that the school authorities had not reached out or offered any form of support since the incident.

She also revealed that the hospital initially rejected her brother due to the seriousness of his condition before eventually admitting him, while medical bills continued to pile up beyond what she could afford.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSLsOa4DNRv/?igsh=MWI5cjlsNnV0cW1hbA==

📹: TT/Teemhar1234

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DSS Officers Seek VIP Escort Roles Amid Police Withdrawal, Stir Debate Over Security Reforms in Nigeria

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In the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police officers from providing personal security and escort duties for very important persons across Nigeria, some officers of the Department of State Services are reportedly lobbying influential Nigerians for redeployment as personal security details.

The move comes after the Nigeria Police Force pulled back thousands of officers from VIP protection duties to strengthen frontline policing and respond to escalating insecurity across the country. The withdrawal, championed by the presidency as part of broader security reforms, aims to free up police manpower for community protection and crime prevention.

According to multiple reports, some DSS operatives have approached high-profile individuals, offering their services as security escorts in the emerging vacuum created by the police exit. These approaches have raised eyebrows among security analysts and VIPs alike, as the DSS traditionally focuses on intelligence and national security rather than routine personal protection.

A handful of elite Nigerians told journalists that officers had visited their offices to request intervention with state directors for deployment as personal protectors, describing the assignments as desirable postings.

While the statutory mandate of the DSS does include the protection of certain national assets and persons, any deployment of officers for individual VIP security is subject to established operational protocols, sources stressed.

The shift has also triggered a surge in demand for private security services nationwide. Security companies report that requests for travel escorts and protective details have spiked since the police withdrawal, with many VIPs and travelers seeking alternative arrangements.

Lawmakers and public figures have weighed in on the reforms. Some members of the House of Representatives argue that Nigerian citizens should not be denied access to extra security if they desire it, suggesting a broader debate over security privileges and equity.

President Tinubu has defended the policy, reiterating that the withdrawal of police from VIP protection is intended to reallocate scarce resources toward combating kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. He has insisted there will be no reversal of the order, urging full compliance by security agencies.

As the debate continues, experts say the success of the reform will depend on how effectively security gaps are filled, whether by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, private security firms, or other authorized entities, and how well public safety is balanced with the security needs of public figures.

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