EFCC arraigns Bauchi accountant general, others over alleged N8.3bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, arraigned the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, before Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged involvement in an N8.3 billion fraud.

Jaja was arraigned alongside a bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, and his firm, Jasfad Resources Enterprise. Others linked to the case, who are currently at large, include a former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Ibrahim Kashim; the current Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo; Saleh U. Mohammed; and Balarabe Abdullahi.

According to a statement posted on the official X handle of the anti-graft agency, the defendants face a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering, diversion, and criminal misappropriation of public funds totaling N8,380,626,430.95.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Aliyu Abubakar, Jasfad Resources Enterprise (a Bureau de Change operator), and Ibrahim Kashim (former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, now at large), sometime between January 5, 2024, and December 10, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence to wit: money laundering by converting and transferring the sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N2,808,595,100.00) of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government from the Bauchi State Expenditure Account, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1022197086 into the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, also domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660…”

All the defendants present pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, thereafter requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility. Meanwhile, defence counsels—Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN—moved motions for bail on behalf of their clients.

Chris Uche, counsel to the Accountant General, pleaded with the court to grant bail on self-recognition or, alternatively, release Jaja to the Attorney General of Bauchi State, arguing that his client was cooperative and critical to the state’s financial management.

Opposing the bail application, the EFCC noted that the first defendant had previously jumped administrative bail, and that the third defendant, Jaja, residing outside Abuja, posed a flight risk.

“We filed a 17-paragraph counter-affidavit on April 4, 2025, deposed to by Ogundana Peter Kolawole, alongside a written address. We adopt both and urge the court to refuse the third defendant’s application for bail,” the EFCC said in its statement.

However, Justice Egwuatu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties, the court ruled, must be a federal government employee not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of tax payment for the last three years. The defendants were also directed to submit their international passports to the court registrar.

Pending the fulfillment of bail conditions, Jaja was released to the Attorney General of Bauchi State, Hassan L. Yakubu, SAN, while the first defendant was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

The case was adjourned to June 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

The statement partly read: “All the defendants present pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following this, prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody. However, defence lawyers—Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN—moved bail applications for their clients.

“Uche, representing Jaja, pleaded with the court to consider granting bail to the Accountant General either on self-recognition or by releasing him to the Attorney General of Bauchi State, noting that Jaja had been cooperative and was on administrative bail prior to arraignment. He argued that his client played a critical role in the state’s financial operations.

“In response, the prosecution opposed the application, stating that the first defendant had previously jumped administrative bail and emphasized that the Accountant General was not resident in Abuja, making him a potential flight risk.

“After reviewing submissions from both sides, Justice Egwuatu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in the same amount. The court stipulated that one of the sureties must be a federal government employee of not less than Grade Level 17 and must present evidence of tax payment for the last three years. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to submit their international passports to the court registrar.

“While Jaja was released to the Attorney General of Bauchi State, Hassan L. Yakubu, SAN, pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions, the first defendant was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

“The case was adjourned till June 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.”