The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re‑arraigned Bauchi State Accountant‑General Sirajo Muhammad Jaja and alleged unlicensed bureau de change operator Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprises on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Both men face a five‑count charge alleging the conversion of Bauchi State government funds and money‑laundering totalling N1,635,270,350.90.
The defendants were before Justice O.A. Egwuatu after the EFCC filed an amended charge (FHC/ABJCR/101/2025) on 5 January 2026. In the original indictment dated 7 April 2025, Jaja was listed as the first defendant and Abubakar as the second; the amendment reversed their order. Prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed, SAN, informed the court that a second amendment had been filed and requested that the defendants be allowed to enter pleas, to which both pleaded not guilty.
One count alleges that between 29 October and 31 December 2024, Jaja, Abubakar and a third co‑accused, Abubakar Muhammad Hafiz (currently at large), conspired to launder N1.29 billion belonging to the Bauchi State government. The money was reportedly transferred from the Bauchi State Sub‑Treasury account at United Bank for Africa (UBA) into an account held by Jasfad Resources Enterprises. A further count accuses the defendants, together with Ari Manga and Muhammad Aminu Bose (both also at large), of laundering an additional N426.1 million between 3 January and 14 March 2025 through similar transactions.
The EFCC says the alleged conduct contravenes the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. After the pleas, counsel for Jaja (Gordy Uche, SAN) and counsel for Abubakar (Chris Uche, SAN) sought to maintain the bail previously granted. The prosecution did not oppose the application and the existing bail conditions were upheld.
Counsel for Jaja also moved to strike out counts two to five, arguing they duplicate the first count and expose the accused to double jeopardy. The motion, supported by Abubakar’s counsel, was opposed by the prosecution. Justice Egwuatu reserved ruling on the objection until the trial’s conclusion, citing Section 395 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The prosecution opened its case with testimony from Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer at UBA. Williams confirmed that the EFCC requested, in February 2025, account statements and related documents for several customers, including Jasfad Resources Enterprises and the Bauchi State Sub‑Treasury account. The bank complied, providing printed and certified statements that were admitted as exhibits despite defence objections, which will be addressed in written submissions.
Williams detailed multiple transfers from the Bauchi State account to Jasfad Resources Enterprises, citing specific transactions: N13.1 million and N7.1 million on 29 October 2024; N50 million and N7.3 million on 30 October 2024; and at least eighteen further transfers during the investigation period.
The court adjourned the trial to 12 May 2026 for further proceedings. The case underscores ongoing EFCC efforts to combat large‑scale financial fraud and money‑laundering involving state resources.
