N1.63bn fraud: Court rejects Bauchi AG’s hajj travel bid

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An application by the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, seeking permission to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage and medical check-up has been rejected by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Jaja is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator, over alleged diversion and laundering of Bauchi State Government funds amounting to N1.63bn.

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The defendants are facing an amended five-count charge bordering on conversion of public funds and money laundering.

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A statement on Tuesday by the EFCC’s Dele Oyewale said during the proceedings, counsel for the second defendant, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court after the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, that his client had filed an application for temporary release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for two weeks.

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“Before adjourning, there is an application. The second defendant wants to travel outside for two weeks. It is a temporary application for the release of his passport,” Uche told the court, adding that the defence had received the prosecution’s response but was yet to file a reply.

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Responding, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed (SAN), urged the court to reject the request, arguing that the defendant constituted a flight risk, especially as some persons connected to the case were still at large.

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“The prosecution opposed the application of the second defendant with a 10-paragraph affidavit filed on March 13, 2026. We rely on all the depositions and annexures. We provided cogent reasons; the facts are there. We urge the court to reject the application,” Muhammed said.

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In his ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the application and adjourned the case until June 30, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

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