By Taiye Agbaje

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, re-arraigned Mr Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant-General (AG), Bauchi State, and a Bureau de Change (BDC) Operator, Aliyu Abubajar, on allegations bordering on money laundering.

Jaja and Abubakar were arraigned on a five-count amended charge before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC had, on April 7, arraigned Jaja, Abubakar and his company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

However in the latest charge, while Abubakar (trading under the name and style of Jasfad Resources Enterprise) is the 1st defendant in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Jaja is listed as 2nd defendant.

Upon resumed hearing on Tuesday, Abba Mohammed, SAN, informed the court that an amended charge dated June 16, was filed today (June 17).

?May I draw the attention of the court to the proof of evidence filed in May 30 and another one filed in June 16.

?We pray that the amended charge be read to the defendants,? Mohammed said.

Abubakar?s lawyer, Gordy Uche, SAN, and Jaja?s counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, did not oppose the application.

After the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty to the counts.

The defence lawyers then applied that the formal bail earlier granted to their clients should continue and after the EFCC?s lawyer did not object, the judge directed that the duo continue in the bail terms.

When Mohammed informed the court that their witness was in court to give his evidence, the defence lawyers applied for an adjourned date to enable them prepared adequately for their clients.

?We will be constraint to ask for an adjournment. The additional proof of evidence, especially number two, was just served on us late yesterday. I have not even have the opportunity to confront my client with it.

?Secondly, this morning, we were served with this amended charge. Even though we have not read through it, we felt we should not stall the proceedings,? Abubakar?s lawyer said.

Corroborating, Chief Uche, who appeared for Jaja, equally sought an adjournment

Mohammed did not oppose and Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until July 21 for commencement of trial.

The anti-graft agency, in count one, alleged that Abubakar (trading under the name and style of Jasfad Resources Enterprise), a purported BDC operator; Jaja; Abubakar Hafiz (at large); Ari Manga (at large) and Muhammed Bose (at large), sometime between 2024 and 2025, did conspire to commit an offence of money laundering.

They were accused of converting public funds belonging to Bauchi State Government which they allegedly transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account domiciled in United Bank for Africa.

The office is said to be and thereby contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The funds were alleged to have been transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account domiciled in UBA into the bank account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise domiciled in tye same bank.

The offence is contrary to Sections 5 and 29{1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2010 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act, among other counts.(NAN)

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