“Other Suspects Still At Large”— Court Refuses Bauchi Accountant-General’s Request To Travel For Lesser Hajj, Medical Check-Up

Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday refused an application filed by the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, seeking permission to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimage and medical check-up while his ongoing trial continues.

Jaja is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Aliyu Abubakar, an alleged unlicensed bureau de change operator, on an amended five-count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged conversion of funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government.

The alleged sum involved in the case is N1,635,270,350.90, which the prosecution says represents proceeds of unlawful financial transactions.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, after the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, UBA, defence counsel Chris Uche, SAN, informed the court that his client had filed an application seeking temporary release of his international passport to enable him travel for two weeks.

According to the defence, the request was for Jaja to undertake the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia as well as attend to medical needs, adding that the prosecution had already responded to the motion.

However, prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk and noting that other persons connected to the charge remain at large.

In a 10-paragraph counter-affidavit filed on March 13, 2026, the prosecution urged the court to reject the request, insisting that sufficient grounds had been provided to justify their opposition.

After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Egwuatu dismissed the application.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.