EFCC re-arraigns Bauchi AG, BDC operator over N1.6bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, alongside a Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged N1.6 billion fraud.

According to the commission, the defendants were re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on conversion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government and money laundering amounting to N1,635,270,350.9.

The EFCC said the duo had earlier been arraigned in April 2025, but the amended charge altered the order of defendants, with Abubakar now listed as the first defendant and Jaja as the second.

During proceedings, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed informed the court that a second amended charge had been filed and urged that the defendants take their plea.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that between October 29 and December 31, 2024, the defendants conspired to launder N1.29 billion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government. Another count alleged that between January 3 and March 14, 2025, they converted an additional N426.1 million.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following their plea, defence counsel Gordy Uche (SAN) and Chris Uche (SAN) requested that the defendants be allowed to continue on the bail earlier granted by the court, a request not opposed by the prosecution.

The defence also challenged the validity of the charges, asking the court to strike out counts two to five on grounds of duplicity and possible double jeopardy. However, the court deferred ruling on the application until the conclusion of the trial, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

In continuation of proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa.

Williams told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC in February 2025 seeking account details, including statements linked to Jasfad Resources Enterprise and the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account.

She testified that the requested documents were provided to the commission and detailed several transactions allegedly involving transfers from the state’s sub-treasury account to Jasfad Resources.

According to her, the transactions included multiple debit transfers on different dates, beginning with N7.19 million on October 29, 2024, followed by transfers of N50 million and N7.32 million on October 30, among others.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case until May 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.