The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission 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, Abuja.
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According to a statement posted on the EFCC’s Facebook handle on Tuesday, “The duo were re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge, bordering on conversion of public funds belonging to Bauchi State Government, and money laundering to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9.”
The statement added that “They were earlier arraigned on April 7, 2025, with Jaja as the first defendant, while Abubakar was the second… However, in the amended charge… Abubakar… became the first defendant and Jaja, the second.”
The prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, informed the court that a second amended charge had been filed and urged the court to take the plea of the defendants.
Count two of the charge reads, “That you Aliyu Abubakar… and Sirajo Jaja… between 29 October, 2024 and 31st December, 2024… did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of N1,290,154,337.2… of public funds… belonging to Bauchi State Government…”
Count three reads, “That you Aliyu Abubakar… and Sirajo Jaja… between 3rd January, 2025 and 14th March 2025… did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of N426,116,013.7… of public funds…”
The defendants, however, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following their plea, counsel to the defendants, Gordy Uche (SAN) and Chris Uche (SAN), applied for the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by the court, which was not opposed by the prosecution.
The defence also challenged the competence of the charge, urging the court to strike out counts two to five on the grounds of duplicity and possible double jeopardy. The court, however, reserved ruling till the end of the trial, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The statement maintained that in continuation of the trial, the prosecution called its first witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa.
“She told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC in February 2025 for details of some clients.”
“The request asked for the bank statements of Jaspa Resources account, Bauchi State Sub-treasury account and the documents were printed and copies given to EFCC, ”it stated.
Williams further narrated how funds were allegedly transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account to Jasfad Resources Enterprise, adding, “On October 29, 2024, we have a debit transfer of N7,196,300. On October 30, 2024, there were two debit transfers… first for N50 million and the second for N7,321,000.”
She also disclosed that multiple transfers were made on different dates within the period under review.
Justice Egwuatu thereafter adjourned the matter till May 12, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
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