By John Moses
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, alongside a bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, over a fresh five-count charge of alleged money laundering.
The re-arraignment took place on Tuesday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charges brought against them.
The EFCC had initially arraigned Jaja, Abubakar, and the latter’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, in April 2025. However, in the revised filing marked FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Abubakar, operating under the business name Jasfad Resources Enterprise, is now listed as the first defendant, while Jaja is named as the second.
Lead EFCC prosecutor, Abba Mohammed, SAN, notified the court that a new set of evidence was filed on 16 June, just a day before the court appearance. He requested the charges be read aloud in court, a motion that was not opposed by the defence.
Upon hearing the charges, both defendants reaffirmed their not guilty pleas. Their respective lawyers, Gordy Uche, SAN, for Abubakar and Chief Chris Uche, SAN, for Jaja, requested that the court allow their clients to remain on previously granted bail, a proposal accepted by both the EFCC and the presiding judge.
Despite the EFCC having a witness present in court, the defence requested a postponement to adequately review the newly submitted evidence. Both lawyers stated they had only just received the amended charge that morning and had not had sufficient time to consult with their clients.
Justice Egwuatu agreed and adjourned proceedings until 21 July for the commencement of trial.
According to the EFCC, between 2024 and 2025, the defendants and several others still at large, including Abubakar Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Bose, allegedly conspired to launder funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account held at United Bank for Africa (UBA), transferring the money into Jasfad Resources’ account.
The offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, both carrying significant penalties upon conviction.
