The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Bauchi State’s Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and a bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, for alleged money laundering and criminal diversion of N1.4 billion in public funds.
The duo were re-arraigned on Tuesday before Justice O.A. Egwuatu on five counts of revised accusations relating to money laundering, theft, and illegal conversion of funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government.
Abubakar is being charged under the name Jasfad Resources Enterprise, which purports to be a bureau de change.
Also listed as defendants but currently on the run are Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose.
The EFCC said that the defendants and others who are still at large committed the crimes between October 29, 2024, and December 31, 2024, in Abuja.
The commission told the court that the accused committed money laundering by converting N1,192,234,627 in public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government.
According to the anti-graft agency, Jaja transferred the funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account, which is held by United Bank for Africa and has account number 1018819396, to the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, which also holds account number 1023444660.
They were also accused of laundering N296,191,000 between January 3 and March 14, 2025, using the same conduit.
According to the EFCC, the acts committed violated Section 18(2)(b) and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the accusations brought against them.
Following their plea, defence counsel Gordy Uche (SAN) for the first defendant and Chris Uche (SAN) for the second defendant petitioned the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail previously granted by the court.
They also asked for an adjournment so that they could fully review the modified charge.
The prosecution, led by Abba Mohammed (SAN), did not challenge the bail application.
As a result, Justice Egwuatu granted the request, confirming that the previous bail terms would stay in effect, and set the trial date for July 21, 2025.
