The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, over an alleged N1.63 billion money laundering case.
The defendants were re-arraigned on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja during court proceedings on an amended charge.
Recall that on April 7, 2025, the same court granted bail of N200 million each to Jaja and Abubakar in a multi-million naira alleged money laundering case instituted by the EFCC, bringing the total bail to N400 million.
What they are saying
A year after they were granted bail, the duo were re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on the conversion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government and money laundering to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9 before Justice Egwuatu.
- In count two, the EFCC alleged that the defendants transferred funds from a Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account into a private account linked to Jasfad Resources Enterprise, stating that they converted “N1,290,154,337.2” of public funds.
- Similarly, in count three, the commission accused the defendants and others at large of converting additional public funds within a different period, amounting to “N426,116,013.7”.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, defence counsel, Gordy Uche, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to allow them to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted, a request that was not opposed by the prosecution.
Backstory
The case dates back to March 2025, when reports emerged that the Bauchi State Accountant-General was arrested over alleged money laundering, diversion, and misappropriation of public funds.
- According to the charge sheet filed by EFCC counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, the commission alleged that Aliyu Abubakar, alongside Jasfad Resources Enterprise and several others currently at large, transferred and converted over N1.8 billion of Bauchi State funds between July and November 2024 through accounts domiciled in Polaris Bank.
The EFCC further alleged that another N1.55 billion was similarly transferred and converted in 2024 by the same network of individuals.
However, Justice O. A. Egwuatu had earlier granted the defendants bail of N200 million each, totalling N400 million.
What you should know
The case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption trials involving former public office holders in Nigeria.
- In October 2023, former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele was arrested by the EFCC and has faced multiple corruption charges since then.
- Also, in December 2025, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, was remanded in prison.
In January, Malami, alongside his wife and son, was granted bail of N1.5 billion by the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with an ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial.
