ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought fresh charges against the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and a bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, in connection with an alleged diversion of over N1.4 billion in public funds.
In a statement released by the anti-graft agency, Jaja and Abubakar who operate under the business name Jasfad Resources Enterprise were re-arraigned before Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Also named in the five-count amended charge are three individuals currently at large: Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose.
The charges accuse the defendants of laundering and misappropriating funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account held at United Bank for Africa. One of the counts alleges that between October 29 and December 31, 2024, a total of N1,192,234,627 was transferred into the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise. Another charge states that between January 3 and March 14, 2025, an additional N296,191,000 was similarly moved.
The EFCC claims the transactions violated Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same legislation.
All defendants present in court entered not-guilty pleas. Their legal representatives, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Gordy Uche and Chris Uche, urged the court to maintain their existing bail conditions and sought time to review the amended charges. The prosecution, led by Abba Muhammed, SAN, did not oppose the plea.
Justice Egwuatu granted the request, maintaining the previous bail terms and scheduling July 21, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
