Alleged N1.6b laundering: EFCC re-arraigns Bauchi AG, BDC operator
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, and a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Aliyu Abubakar, for an alleged N1.63 billion money
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, and a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Aliyu Abubakar, for an alleged N1.63 billion money laundering case.
They were re-arraigned on Monday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count second amended charge. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), told the court that the amended charge was filed on January 5.
He prayed the court to take the defendants’ plea.
Jaja’s lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), asked the court to first hear a motion challenging the competence of the charge.
Mohammed opposed the request, arguing that by law, an amended charge takes precedence over pending motions.
Justice Egwuatu directed that the charge be read to the defendants.
After the defendants had pleaded not guilty, their counsel applied for them to continue on the earlier bail terms.
The prosecution did not oppose the request, and the court granted it.
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Uche moved his motion seeking to strike out Counts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the charge on the grounds of duplicity.
The lawyer argued that the counts could expose the defendants to double jeopardy.
Counsel to the second defendant, Chris Uche (SAN), supported the application, but Mohammed opposed the motion, arguing that the counts related to separate transactions conducted on different dates.
The judge reserved ruling on the application until the end of the trial.
The prosecution subsequently called its first witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Williams told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC for the statements of accounts linked to Jasfad Resources Enterprise and the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account. She said the requested documents were printed, certified and handed over to the commission.
The court admitted the documents in evidence.
The witness also told the court that funds were allegedly transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account to the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise.
The matter was adjourned till May 12 for the continuation of the trial.
According to the charge, the defendants and others, said to be on the run, allegedly transferred N1.209 billion from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account to Jasfad Resources Enterprise between October 29 and December 31, 2024.
They were also accused of transferring another N426.1 million from the same account to the company between January 3 and March 14, 2025.
The EFCC said the offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
