A compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), Williams Abimbola, has testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja about the alleged transfer of funds from a Bauchi State Government sub-treasury account to a private company, JASFAD Resources Enterprises. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja, and four others on an amended five-count charge bordering on money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation involving N1.635 billion.
According to the prosecution, the defendants were signatories to Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts from which funds were allegedly transferred to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, a company said to be managed by Aliyu Abubakar. Abimbola's testimony was given as part of the trial, with the EFCC presenting her as the first prosecution witness. The case involves multiple transactions between the Bauchi sub-treasury account and JASFAD Resources Enterprises.
Abimbola told the court that the bank received requests from law enforcement agencies and responded to enquiries as part of her duties as a compliance officer. She provided details of several transactions, including three credit transfers into JASFAD's account on October 29, 2024, amounting to N76.34 million. The witness also listed other transfers made on various dates between November 2024 and March 2025.
The transactions listed by Abimbola include N140.09 million transferred on November 22, 2024, N335.04 million and N300 million transferred on December 27, 2024. Further transfers were made in February and March 2025, including N19.84 million and N13.02 million on February 25, 2025. The witness provided a detailed breakdown of the transactions, which totaled millions of naira.
Abimbola stated that the EFCC had produced the state account statement and the bank's written statement in support of its case. The witness's testimony was given before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who adjourned the case until October 22, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination and further trial. Defence lawyers indicated that they would cross-examine the witness at a later sitting.
The case involves an amended five-count charge against Sirajo Muhammed Jaja, Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose. The defendants are accused of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation involving N1.635 billion. The EFCC is prosecuting the case, with Abimbola's testimony being a key part of the prosecution's evidence.
The trial will continue on October 22, 2026, with the defence team set to cross-examine Abimbola. The case has significant implications for the management of public funds in Bauchi State, and the court's decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences. The prosecution's case relies heavily on Abimbola's testimony and the evidence presented by the EFCC.
Key points
- The UBA compliance officer's testimony revealed multiple transactions between the Bauchi sub-treasury account and JASFAD Resources Enterprises.
- The defendants are accused of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation involving N1.635 billion.
- The trial has been adjourned until October 22, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination and further trial.
