Sirika appointed chair of varsity governing council despite ongoing N2.7bn fraud trial

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, was on Tuesday appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina despite his ongoing trial for alleged N2.7 billion fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The appointment of Sirika as the chairman of UMYU was approved by Katsina governor, Dikko Radda the same day his trial for the N2.7 billion fraud was adjourned in Abuja.

According to a statement by Mr Ibrahim Almu-Gafai, the Director, Press, Office of the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, the appointment of appointment Sirika which was for the first four-year-tenure, took effect from Oct. 2025.

Almu-Gafai quoted the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, as saying that Sirika’s appointment was based on the recognition of his outstanding qualities and performance exhibited over the years.

He added, “The Governor urged the appointee to bring his vast experience to bear in his new assignment.”

Trial adjourned

However, the appointment was announced a day after Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Maitama presided over the adoption of written addresses by the prosecution and defence counsel in the trial within trial of Sirika.

Sirika is on trial alongside his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, son in law Hamma Jalal Sule on six-count charges bordering on abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N2.7billion. Specifically, he is facing prosecution for allegedly conferring undue advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter while serving as Aviation Minister

In the ongoing hearing of the trial within trial on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Justice Oriji ordered the counsel to file and serve their written addresses to determine compliance with ACJA Section 15 (4) and 17 (2).

The Judge had ordered the trial within trial following claims of the 2nd and 3rd defendants that the statements they made to operatives of the EFCC, were not made voluntarily in compliance with ACJA Section 15 (4) and 17 (2).

The Investigation Officer, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Christopher Odofin stated while giving his examination in chief on Monday, October 27, 2025, that both the 2nd and 3rd defendants were not arrested, but invited to the Commission and in the presence of their lawyers. “They both gave their statements, free of duress, intimidation, and neither were they forced nor promised anything”, he said.

Responding to the submissions and testimonies made, Justice Oriji ordered that, “the defendants are directed to file and serve their respective written addresses of the trial within trial within 14 days from October 29, 2025. Prosecution is also directed to file and serve its written address of the trial within trial within 14 days from the date of service of the last written address of the defendant”

Well deserved appointment

The Katsina State government had in the statement announcing his appointment as chairman of UMYA noted that Sirika, an aviator and politician, was born on March 2, 1964, in Dubawa, Sirika B Ward, Dutsi local government area of the state.

A holder of Master of Science Degree in Aviation Management, Sirika was Member, House of Representatives, Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency, between 2003 and 2007; and Senator representing Katsina North, 2011 to 2015.

He was Minister of Aviation from 2019 to 2023, under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The governor congratulates Sen. Sirika on his well-deserved appointment, and wish him Allah’s guidance in the discharge of his duties as Chairman of the Governing Council, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) Katsina,” SSG Garba-Faskari said.