- The EFCC has re-arraigned Bauchi Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja over a N1.48bn fraud.
- They pleaded not guilty, and the court upheld their existing bail.
- Trial begins July 21.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, over alleged involvement in a N1.48 billion fraud.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Jaja was re-arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside a Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, and his firm, Jasfad Resources Enterprise.
The three defendants now face a five-count amended charge bordering on money laundering, theft, and criminal misappropriation of public funds.
The EFCC, which initially charged the defendants in April with a nine-count charge involving N8.38 billion, said the amended charge reduces both the count and the alleged amount.
The commission accused them of illegally transferring over N1.19 billion from the state’s sub-treasury into Jasfad Resources’ private account between October and December 2024, and laundering another N296 million between January and March 2025 through the same method.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. The EFCC further claimed the transfers were disguised as legitimate transactions to divert public funds for personal gain. Three other suspects — Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose — are reportedly at large.
Defence counsel requested that the defendants remain on their earlier granted bail, which the court accepted.
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The case was adjourned to July 21 for trial commencement.
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