The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, alongside bureau de change operator Aliyu Abubakar, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds totaling N1.4 billion.
The defendants appeared on Tuesday before Justice O.A. Egwuatu, facing five amended charges related to money laundering, theft, and criminal conversion of Bauchi State Government funds.
Abubakar is being prosecuted under the business name Jasfad Resources Enterprise, a bureau de change operation. Three other suspects—Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose—are also listed but remain at large.
EFCC alleges that between October 29, 2024, and December 31, 2024, the defendants unlawfully converted N1,192,234,627 from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account at United Bank for Africa into the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise.
They further allegedly laundered N296,191,000 between January 3 and March 14, 2025, through similar transactions.
These actions are said to violate Sections 18(2)(b) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers, Gordy Uche (SAN) and Chris Uche (SAN), requested that the court uphold the previously granted bail and adjourn the case to enable them to review the amended charges.
The prosecution, led by Abba Mohammed (SAN), did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Egwuatu granted bail continuation and adjourned the trial to July 21, 2025.
