Witness details alleged Bauchi funds transfers to private firm

Abimbola Joseph

A United Bank for Africa compliance officer has told the Federal High Court in Abuja how millions of naira were allegedly transferred from Bauchi State Sub-Treasury accounts to a private company linked to the state Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja.

The witness, Williams Abimbola, gave the evidence on Monday, September 21, 2026, during Jaja’s trial before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Jaja is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alongside Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga and Muhammed Aminu Bose over alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds and criminal misappropriation involving N1,635,270,350.90.

The defendants were arraigned on an amended five counts.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Ekele E. Iheanacho, SAN, Abimbola told the court that she handled requests from law enforcement agencies, responded to enquiries and performed other duties assigned by UBA’s Chief Compliance Officer.

The prosecution tendered Bauchi State account statements and a written statement from the bank in support of its case.

According to the EFCC, the defendants, who were signatories to Bauchi State Sub-Treasury accounts, allegedly transferred funds from the accounts to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, a company managed by the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.

Abimbola told the court that on October 29, 2024, three transfers were made from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury account to JASFAD.

She identified the transfers as N13.14m, N17.17m and N46.03m.

The witness further listed several other transactions involving the company.

She said N17.89m was transferred on November 7, 2024, while two transfers of N12.22m and N16.92m were made on November 15.

According to her, another N90.37m was transferred on November 19, followed by N140.09m on November 22.

She told the court that two further transfers of N24.19m and N48.89m were made on December 24.

The witness said December 27, two major transfers of N335.04m and N300m to JASFAD were made, while two other transfers of N14.29m and N26.98m were made on December 31.

Abimbola also testified that the transfers continued in 2025.

She said JASFAD received N19.84m and N13.02m from the Bauchi Sub-Treasury account on February 25, followed by N16.11m on March 3.

She listed further transfers of N56.64m on March 5, N45.92m on March 7, N11.25m on March 10, and N49.28m and N30.72m on March 12.

According to the witness, another N28.26 million was transferred to the company on March 14, 2025.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the commission was prosecuting the case based on the allegations contained in the charge before the court.

The defence counsel requested another date to cross-examine the witness.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case until October 22, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination and trial.