The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, and Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, over alleged money laundering involving ₦1.63 billion of public funds.
The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a second amended five-count charge bordering on money laundering and unlawful conversion of state funds. Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The case, which also involves Abubakar’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, has undergone several amendments since it was first filed. The EFCC initially arraigned the defendants on April 7, 2025, before later restructuring the charge in June 2025. The latest amendment, filed on January 5, 2026, now lists Abubakar (trading as Jasfad Resources Enterprise) as 1st defendant and Jaja as 2nd defendant.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), informed the court that the commission was ready to proceed with the arraignment under the amended charge. However, defence counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), challenged the validity of the charge and urged the court to hear his motion before plea.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), an amended charge takes precedence over other pending motions. Justice Egwuatu upheld the prosecution’s position and ordered the defendants to take their plea.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty, their lawyers applied for continuation of existing bail terms, which was not opposed by the EFCC and was granted by the court. The judge also allowed the defence to move its motion challenging the competence of the charge, particularly seeking the striking out of counts two to five for alleged duplicity.
The defence argued that the charges amounted to double jeopardy, while the prosecution insisted that each count related to distinct financial transactions carried out on different dates. Justice Egwuatu reserved ruling on the motion until the conclusion of the trial.
The prosecution then called its first witness, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), who testified that investigations revealed multiple transfers from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account into Jasfad Resources Enterprise’s account. Bank documents tendered by the witness were admitted as exhibits despite objections from the defence.
The court adjourned the matter until May 12, 2026, for continuation of trial. The EFCC alleges that the defendants diverted over ₦1.6 billion of Bauchi State funds between October 2024 and March 2025, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
