ARTICLE AD BOX
File Photo: Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by Bauchi State Accountant General Sirajo Jaja, who sought permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage and a medical examination.
Jaja is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) together with Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator, for alleged diversion and laundering of Bauchi State government funds totaling N1.63 billion.
The two defendants face an amended five‑count charge that includes conversion of public funds and money laundering.
During the hearing, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale noted that counsel for the second defendant, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court—after cross‑examining the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa—that his client had applied for a temporary release of his passport to enable a two‑week overseas trip.
“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 had not yet filed a reply.
Prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed (SAN) urged the court to reject the request, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk, especially since some individuals linked to the case remained at large.
“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.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that the application be struck out and adjourned the trial until June 30, 2026, for further proceedings.
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