Bank officer reveals transfer of Bauchi funds to private firm in accountant-general’s case

A compliance officer from United Bank for Africa (UBA) shared details on Monday about the alleged transfer of Bauchi State funds into a private company’s account. This company is linked to Sirajo Muhammed Jaja, the accountant-general of the state, who is currently on trial.

The officer, Williams Abimbola, testified before Judge Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court. She described how funds were transferred from the Bauchi State sub-treasury account to the account of JASFAD Resources Enterprises. This information came from a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC is prosecuting Jaja along with Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Aminu Bose. They face five charges of money laundering linked to the alleged misappropriation of N1.63 billion belonging to Bauchi State.

Details of the Transfers

Mrs Abimbola, who was questioned by prosecution lawyer Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), started her testimony with three transfers to JASFAD on October 29, 2024.

"My Lord, on October 29, 2024, we have three credit transfers into the account of JASFAD from the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account. We have a transfer of N13,144,500, a transfer of N17,169,300, and a transfer of N46,030,500," she said, according to the EFCC.

The witness explained her role involved responding to requests from law enforcement and fulfilling duties from the bank's chief compliance officer. She then moved on to transactions from November.

"On November 7, 2024, we had a credit transfer of N17,886,250, but the teller’s details were not captured. It just showed that transfers were made. On November 15, we had two credit transfers ordered by the Sub-treasury, Bauchi Account. The amounts are N12,215,000 and N16,919,750 respectively.

"On November 19, 2024, we had another transfer from the sub-treasury Bauchi account for N90,373,550. On November 22, 2024, another credit transfer from the sub-treasury Bauchi account came in for N140,087,500."

Mrs Abimbola noted more transfers took place in December.

"On December 24, 2024, we had two credit transfers ordered by the sub-treasury Bauchi Account. The first was for N24,192,000 and the second was N48,892,500. On December 27, 2024, we had two credit transfers from the sub-treasury Bauchi account into JASFAD. The first was N335,040,000 and the second was N300,000,000."

She also mentioned two transfers that occurred on December 31.

"On December 31, we had two transfers from the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account of N14,285,527.20 and N26,975,000."

The transactions continued into 2025.

"On February 25, 2025, we had a credit transfer from the sub-treasury Bauchi Account to JASFAD Resources of N19,840,000 and N13,020,000," she said.

"On March 3, 2025, we had a credit transfer from the sub-treasury Bauchi account for N16,105,223.70. On March 5, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N56,642,500. On March 7, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N45,923,790."

She continued, "On March 10, 2025, we had a transfer of N11,253,500. On March 12, 2025, we had two credit transfers from the sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises. The first was N49,280,000 and the second was N30,720,000. On March 14, 2025, we had a credit transfer from the sub-treasury Bauchi account of N28,262,500."

Mrs Abimbola went back to the February 25 transactions to confirm details.

"On February 25, 2025, there were two credits from the Sub-treasury Bauchi account to the JASFAD Resources account. The first was N19,840,000 and the second was N13,020,000," she stated.

She also clarified the December 27 transactions.

"On December 27, 2024, there were three transfers. The first was N335,040,000, the second was N300,000,000, and the third was N26,975,000," she said.

After her testimony, the EFCC submitted the state account statement and the bank's written statement to support its case. The defense lawyers requested more time to cross-examine Mrs Abimbola.

Judge Egwuatu then adjourned the case until October 22 for the continuation of the witness's cross-examination.