Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, faced arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday over allegations of involvement in a N1.8 billion money laundering scheme. The charges were formally presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
In the case identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Jaja stood accused alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a bureau de change operator, and Abubakar’s company. Both Jaja and Abubakar entered pleas of not guilty after the charges were read aloud in court.
Seeking his client’s release, Jaja’s legal representative, Chris Uche, argued for bail, suggesting the charges were politically motivated and connected to Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed’s future political ambitions for 2027. Uche also pointed out that the charges did not involve capital offenses and that Jaja could provide credible individuals to guarantee his court appearances.
However, the EFCC’s counsel, Abba Muhammed, countered the bail application, noting that Abubakar had previously breached an administrative bail agreement and that Jaja himself had not yet satisfied previous bail requirements. Muhammed urged the court to deny their request for bail.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Egwuatu affirmed that while bail is a constitutional entitlement, it must be exercised judiciously. He granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N200 million, each required to provide two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must reside in Abuja, with one holding a director-level position within a federal government agency. Furthermore, both defendants were ordered to surrender their passports to the court and must seek permission for any international travel. Jaja was to be released into the custody of the Attorney-General of Bauchi State until his bail conditions are met. Failure to meet these conditions within the stipulated timeframe would result in the defendants’ remand at Kuje Correctional Centre. The trial for the case is scheduled to commence on June 17.
The EFCC’s allegations detail the transfer of over N1.8 billion in public funds from the Bauchi State government’s expenditure account to accounts held by Abubakar’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, between July and November 2024. The charges brought against the defendants include violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
