Bauchi Accountant General Re-Arraigned Over Fresh ₦1.4bn Fraud Charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and a Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, over an alleged diversion and laundering of ₦1.4 billion in public funds.

The two appeared before Justice O.A. Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, facing a five-count amended charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering. They were initially arraigned on earlier charges but returned to court following updates to the case by the anti-graft agency.

Aliyu Abubakar is said to operate under the name Jasfad Resources Enterprise, the account allegedly used to launder the funds.

Three other suspects—Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose—are still at large.

According to the EFCC, between October 29 and December 31, 2024, ₦1,192,234,627 was illegally transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account at UBA to Jasfad Resources Enterprise’s UBA account, disguised as payment for foreign exchange transactions.

An additional ₦296,191,000 was allegedly moved in a similar manner between January 3 and March 14, 2025—bringing the total sum allegedly laundered to nearly ₦1.4 billion.

The EFCC said the actions violated Section 18(2)(b) and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Both defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Their lawyers, prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Gordy Uche for Jaja, and Chris Uche for Abubakar—asked the court to allow them to remain on existing bail conditions and to adjourn the matter for proper review of the new charges.

Prosecuting counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, raised no objection, and Justice Egwuatu granted the request, maintaining the earlier bail terms.

The trial has been adjourned to July 21, 2025.