Alleged N1.63bn fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Bauchi accountant-general, BDC operator

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, over an alleged N1.63 billion money laundering case.

The defendants were re-arraigned on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja during court proceedings on an amended charge.

Recall that on April 7, 2025, the same court granted bail of N200 million each to Jaja and Abubakar in a multi-million naira alleged money laundering case instituted by the EFCC, bringing the total bail to N400 million.

A year after they were granted bail, the duo were re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on the conversion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government and money laundering to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9 before Justice Egwuatu.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, defence counsel, Gordy Uche, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to allow them to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted, a request that was not opposed by the prosecution.

The case dates back to March 2025, when reports emerged that the Bauchi State Accountant-General was arrested over alleged money laundering, diversion, and misappropriation of public funds.

The EFCC further alleged that another N1.55 billion was similarly transferred and converted in 2024 by the same network of individuals.

However, Justice O. A. Egwuatu had earlier granted the defendants bail of N200 million each, totalling N400 million.

The case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption trials involving former public office holders in Nigeria.

In January, Malami, alongside his wife and son, was granted bail of N1.5 billion by the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with an ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial.