Court Grants Bail To Accountant General Of Bauchi In N4 Billion Money Laundering Trial
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, the current Accountant General of Bauchi State, and Aliyu Abubakar, in a multi-billion-naira money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N200 million, totaling N400 million, with stringent conditions, shortly after their arraignment.
According to the EFCC, between August and December 2024, Aliyu Abubakar, Jasfad Resources Enterprise (a Bureau de Change operator), and Sirajo Jaja allegedly conspired to launder public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government. The EFCC claims that over N1.8 billion was transferred from the Bauchi State Expenditure Account at Polaris Bank into the accounts of Jasfad Resources Enterprise.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that another N1.55 billion was similarly laundered in 2024, and that between November and December 2024, N693.2 million was illegally moved from the state’s Sub-Treasury Account at United Bank for Africa (UBA) into the same Bureau de Change operator’s account.
Other individuals named in the charge, including former Secretary to the State Government Ibrahim Kashim, and several others, were declared to be at large.
When the charges were read, both Jaja and Abubakar pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, the defendants’ counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, sought bail for his clients, arguing that they are facing non-capital offences and that the charges were politically motivated, aimed at intimidating the Bauchi State Governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
EFCC counsel Abba Muhammed, SAN, opposed the bail applications, pointing out that Aliyu had previously jumped administrative bail, while Jaja failed to meet earlier bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu emphasized that bail is a constitutional right but must be granted judicially and judiciously. He then granted each defendant bail in the sum of N200 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The court directed that one surety must be a federal government director residing in Abuja. The defendants were also ordered to deposit their international passports with the court and seek permission before traveling out of the country.
Additionally, the Accountant General was released to the custody of the Attorney General of Bauchi State pending the perfection of his bail conditions. Failure to meet the conditions would result in their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned to June 17 for the commencement of trial.
