Bank witness details alleged Bauchi funds transfers in accountant-general’s trial
A United Bank for Africa compliance officer has told the Federal High Court in Abuja about a series of transfers from Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts into the account of JASFAD Resources Enterprises in the ongoing trial of the state’s Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja, and four others.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Jaja alongside Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga and Muhammed Aminu Bose on an amended five-count charge involving about N1.635 billion.
All five defendants have pleaded not guilty. The allegations have not been proved in court.
Bank witness gives transaction evidence
Williams Abimbola, a UBA compliance officer, appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu and gave evidence about transactions involving the Bauchi State sub-treasury account and JASFAD Resources Enterprises.
According to reporting of the proceedings, Abimbola identified several transfers recorded between late 2024 and March 2025, including transactions of N13.1445 million, N17.1693 million, N46.0305 million, N335.04 million and N300 million among others.
The EFCC also tendered the relevant account statement and a written statement from the bank as part of its case.
The existence of transfers does not by itself establish that they were unlawful. Their legal significance remains contested and is for the court to determine.
What prosecutors allege
The EFCC alleges that the defendants transferred Bauchi State public funds into JASFAD Resources Enterprises and that the transactions formed part of offences involving money laundering, theft and criminal conversion of public funds.
The amended charge places the overall alleged amount at approximately N1,635,270,350. That figure represents the prosecution’s case value and should not be described as money proved stolen or lost.
Premium Times separately reports that the amended charge alleges about N1.29 billion in transfers from the Bauchi State sub-treasury account into the JASFAD account between October 29 and December 31, 2024.
Defence yet to cross-examine witness
Lawyers for the defendants asked for another date to cross-examine Abimbola.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to October 22, 2026 for continuation of the witness’s cross-examination.
The defence therefore still has the opportunity to challenge the witness’s evidence, the transaction records and the prosecution’s interpretation of them.
No finding of guilt has been made against any defendant.
Court still to determine legality and responsibility
The central issue before the court is not simply whether transfers occurred, but whether the prosecution can prove the legal elements of the offences charged and establish the responsibility it alleges against each defendant.
For the public, the accountability question is whether the transactions involving state funds were lawful and properly authorised, or whether prosecutors can prove the criminal case set out in the amended charge.
That remains for the court to decide.