Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a total bail of N400 million to Sirajo Jaja, the Bauchi State Accountant General, and Aliyu Abubakar, a Bureau de Change operator.
Gatekeepers News reports that each defendant was granted bail of N200 million with two sureties of like sum.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the defendants on allegations of money laundering, involving the transfer and conversion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government.
The alleged offenses occurred between August and December 2024, with amounts ranging from N693 million to over N1.8 billion.
During the court proceedings, the defendants’ counsel argued that the charges were politically motivated and not related to capital offenses or terrorism.
The EFCC lawyer, however, opposed the bail, citing that one of the defendants had previously jumped administrative bail.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted bail to both defendants with the following conditions:
– Each defendant must provide two sureties, one of whom must be a resident of Abuja and a Director at a federal government agency.
– The defendants must surrender their international passports and seek court approval before traveling out of the country.
– The Accountant General is to be released to the Attorney General of Bauchi State to perfect his bail conditions within a given time.
The court adjourned to June 17 for the commencement of the trial. If the defendants fail to perfect their bail conditions, they will be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
