The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Mr. Sirajo Jaja, alongside a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Aliyu Abubakar, on fresh allegations of money laundering involving state funds.
The duo appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, where they were presented with a five-count amended charge. Both Jaja and Abubakar pleaded not guilty.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this marks a re-arraignment following their initial court appearance on April 7, when Jaja, Abubakar, and Abubakar’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, were arraigned as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.
Under the amended charge, filed with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Abubakar, described as trading under the name and style of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, is now the 1st defendant, while Jaja is listed as the 2nd.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, informed the court of the amended charge, stating:
“May I draw the attention of the court to the proof of evidence filed in May 30 and another one filed in June 16.
We pray that the amended charge be read to the defendants.”
Lawyers for the defendants, Gordy Uche, SAN (for Abubakar) and Chief Chris Uche, SAN (for Jaja), did not oppose the application. After the charges were read, the two defendants entered not guilty pleas.
The defence then requested that the existing bail conditions previously granted to the defendants be maintained. With no objection from the prosecution, the court ruled that:
The duo should continue under the same bail terms.
Though Mohammed told the court that a prosecution witness was present to testify, both defence teams sought an adjournment to allow time to review new materials recently served.
“We will be constraint to ask for an adjournment. The additional proof of evidence, especially number two, was just served on us late yesterday. I have not even have the opportunity to confront my client with it.
Secondly, this morning, we were served with this amended charge. Even though we have not read through it, we felt we should not stall the proceedings,” Abubakar’s lawyer said.
Chief Uche also echoed the request for more preparation time. With no opposition from the prosecution, Justice Egwuatu granted the adjournment, fixing the trial to begin on July 21.
In the first count of the amended charge, the EFCC alleged that Abubakar, operating through Jasfad Resources Enterprise, conspired with Jaja, and others, Abubakar Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Bose (who are still at large), between 2024 and 2025, to commit money laundering.
The Commission accused the group of converting public funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) into Jasfad Resources Enterprise’s account in the same bank.
The charge further states that this act was:
“Contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Additionally, the alleged fund transfers violated provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, specifically:
“Contrary to Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2010 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act,”
The trial is now set to commence on July 21, 2025.
