The Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Mr. Sirajo Jaja, was on Monday, arraigned in the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on money laundering.
Jaja was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Obiora Egwuatu alongside Aliyu Abubajar, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, and his company.
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After the counts were read to them, they pleaded not guilty to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025.
The defence lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, informed the court of a motion filed in respect of his clients’ bail.
He prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
Uche, in his application for bail, argued that the charges against Jaja allegedly arose out of the Federal Government’s determination to intimidate the Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State to drop his political ambition for 2027.
He said the offence with which they were being charged was a bailable one.
He said the defendants were not being accused of any capital offence or acts of terrorism that would have warranted their continued detention.
He assured the court that the AG had reasonable sureties to stand for him and produce him whenever required by the court.
However, the EFCC’s lawyer, Abba Muhammed SAN, opposed Uche’s application.
Muhammed, who said the commission filed a counter affidavit to the bail applications, said Abubakar (1st defendant) had earlier jumped administrative bail.
He said the Accountant General was equally granted administrative bail but failed to meet the bail conditions.
He urged the court to discountenance their plea.
Justice Egwuatu, in his ruling, held that bail is a constitutional right which must be exercised by the court judicially and judiciously.
The judge said he was minded to admit the defendants to bail.
He subsequently granted bail to them in the sum of N200 million each with two sureties in the like sum.
The judge said that the sureties must be residents in Abuja, and one of the sureties must hold the position of a director with a Federal Government’s agency.
He directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and must get the permission of the court whenever they needed to travel out of the country.
Justice Egwuatu also ordered Jaja to be released to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Bauchi State pending the perfection of his bail within a given time.
The judge, however, ordered that if they fail to perfect their bail conditions within the period, they should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
He adjourned the matter until June 17 for the commencement of the trial.
(NAN)