EFCC Re-arraigns Bauchi AG and BDC Operator for Fraud

On Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, and Aliyu Abubakar, an operator of an unlicensed Bureau De Change, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are facing amended charges involving five counts of money laundering concerning public funds belonging to the Bauchi State government, amounting to N1,635,270,350.

Initially arraigned on April 7, 2025, the charges were amended, with Abubakar now listed as the first defendant and Jaja as the second. The charges include specific amounts converted from public funds on various dates, with the defendants pleading not guilty.

Their counsel challenged the competence of the charges, urging the court to strike out counts two to five on grounds of duplicity and potential double jeopardy. The court has reserved its ruling until the end of the trial, which will continue on May 12, 2026.

The prosecution called its first witness, Abimbola William, who detailed the alleged transfers from the Bauchi State sub-treasury account to Jasfad Resource Enterprises.