EFCC RE-ARRAIGNS BAUCHI ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL, BDC OPERATOR OVER ALLEGED N1.63BN MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, alongside an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprises, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to a statement published by the EFCC, the defendants are facing an amended five-count charge bordering on the alleged conversion of Bauchi State Government funds and money laundering amounting to N1.63 billion.

The commission noted that the duo had initially been arraigned on April 7, 2025, with Jaja listed as the first defendant and Abubakar as the second. However, in the amended charge, Abubakar is now listed as the first defendant, while Jaja is the second.

During proceedings, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed informed the court that a second amended charge had been filed and requested that the defendants take their plea. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.

One of the charges alleges that between October 29 and December 31, 2024, the defendants converted over N1.29 billion in public funds for personal use. Another count claims that between January 3 and March 14, 2025, they converted an additional N426.1 million belonging to the state government.

Following their plea, defence counsel Gordy Uche (SAN) and Chris Uche (SAN) urged the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted, a request the prosecution did not oppose.

The defence also challenged the validity of the charges, arguing that counts two to five were defective due to duplicity and the risk of double jeopardy. However, the court reserved its ruling on the objection until the conclusion of the trial, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

In continuation of the hearing, the prosecution called its first witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa. She told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC in February 2025 for account details related to the investigation.

Williams testified that the bank provided statements for accounts linked to Jasfad Resources Enterprises and the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury. She further detailed several transactions, including transfers of N7.19 million, N50 million, and N7.32 million made in late October 2024.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case until May 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.