Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application filed by the Bauchi State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, seeking permission to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) and undergo a medical check‑up. Justice O. A. Egwuatu struck out the application on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the defendant is a flight risk and that other parties in the case are still at large.
Jaja is facing prosecution alongside the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator, on an amended five‑count charge bordering on conversion of funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government and money laundering to the tune of N1,635,270,350.90 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty‑five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira, Ninety Kobo). The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the Tuesday sitting, the court had just concluded the cross‑examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1), Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), conducted by Jaja’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN. Following the conclusion of the cross‑examination, Uche informed the court of his client’s application for leave to travel. “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 said, adding that the defence was already in receipt of the prosecution’s response, which he said he was yet to respond to.
In response, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 10‑paragraph affidavit on March 13, 2026, opposing the application. Muhammed argued that the defendant is a flight risk and pointed out that other parties in the charge are currently at large. “We provided cogent reasons, the facts are there. We rely on them and we urge the court to reject the application,” Muhammed said.
After listening to both sides, Justice Egwuatu delivered a brief ruling, rejecting the application. The judge struck it out and did not grant the request for the release of the defendant’s passport. However, the court also did not impose any additional sanctions or conditions on the defendant beyond the existing bail terms. The matter was adjourned until June 30, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Jaja was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an investigation into the diversion of funds from the Bauchi State Government’s coffers. The prosecution alleges that the accountant general conspired with the unlicensed BDC operator to convert substantial sums of money through illegal channels, violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. The EFCC has described the case as a significant step in its ongoing efforts to tackle corruption at the state level, particularly in the management of public funds.
The court’s refusal to allow Jaja to travel for the Hajj pilgrimage is notable given the religious significance of the journey for Muslims. The Hajj is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime obligation for those who can afford it, and the defendant had also cited the need for a medical check‑up as part of his reasons for seeking the court’s permission. However, the prosecution successfully argued that the timing of the request, coming after the conclusion of the cross‑examination of PW1, and the fact that other suspects remain at large, raised serious concerns about the defendant’s likelihood of returning to face trial if allowed to leave the country.
Legal analysts have pointed out that courts are generally reluctant to grant foreign travel requests to defendants facing serious fraud charges, especially where large sums of money are involved and where there is evidence that other accused persons have absconded. In this case, the fact that the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar, is described as an unlicensed BDC operator and that other parties are still at large likely weighed heavily on the judge’s decision.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not indicated whether it plans to file additional charges or seek the forfeiture of any assets linked to the defendants. The case continues on June 30, 2026, and both defendants remain on bail pending the outcome of the trial.
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