EFCC Re-arraigns Bauchi Accountant-General for N1.63bn Fraud

On Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant-General Sirajo Muhammad Jaja and Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator, in the Federal High Court, Abuja. They face five amended charges of money laundering involving a total of N1,635,270,350.

The charges stem from allegations of converting public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government. Jaja and Abubakar were initially arraigned on April 7, 2025, and the amended charges were filed on January 5, 2026.

The prosecution alleges that between October 29, 2024, and March 14, 2025, they transferred substantial sums from the Bauchi State sub-treasury account to accounts associated with Abubakar's business, Jasfad Resource Enterprises. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and their counsel raised a motion challenging the competence of the charges, which the court reserved for ruling until the end of the trial.

The next court dates are set for January 3 and March 14, 2025.