The trial of Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja, and four others continued on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja. A United Bank for Africa (UBA) compliance officer, Williams Abimbola, testified about several transfers allegedly made from the state's Sub-Treasury Account to a private company, JASFAD Resources Enterprises. The witness told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that her duties included responding to requests and enquiries from law enforcement agencies.
Abimbola detailed several credit transfers made from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, allegedly managed by Aliyu Abubakar. On 29 October 2024, three transfers were made: N13,144,500, N17,169,300, and N46,030,500. Additional transfers were made on 7 November 2024, totaling N17,886,250. The witness identified further transactions in November, including two transfers of N12,215,000 and N16,919,750 on 15 November.
The UBA compliance officer continued to testify about the transactions, stating that on 19 November 2024, N90,373,550 was transferred to JASFAD, followed by N140,087,500 on 22 November. Further transfers were made in December, including two transactions on 24 December, totaling N73,084,500. The witness also revealed that on 27 December, N335,040,000 and N300 million were transferred to the JASFAD account.
Abimbola's testimony also covered transactions in February and March 2025. On 25 February 2025, N19,840,000 and N13,020,000 were transferred to JASFAD. In March, several transfers were made, including N16,105,223.70 on 3 March, N56,642,500 on 5 March, and N45,923,790 on 7 March. The witness stated that the transactions were made by order of the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jaja and four others, including Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose, over alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation. The defendants face an amended five-count charge involving the alleged diversion and misappropriation of N1,635,270,350.90.
The EFCC counsel, Ekele E. Iheanacho, SAN, called Abimbola as the first prosecution witness. The prosecution tendered the Bauchi State account statement and a written statement from the bank as part of its evidence. The witness's testimony was led in evidence by Iheanacho, providing detailed information about the transactions.
The trial continues with the EFCC alleging that the defendants, who were signatories to the state's Sub-Treasury Accounts, unlawfully diverted funds to a private company. The case has been adjourned for further proceedings. The defendants' counsel has yet to cross-examine the witness.
Key points
- The trial involves the alleged diversion and misappropriation of N1,635,270,350.90 from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account.
- A UBA compliance officer testified about several transfers made from the state's Sub-Treasury Account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises.
- The defendants face an amended five-count charge for alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation.
