Bauchi accountant-general Sirajo Jaja arraigned for alleged N8.3bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, for alleged N8.3 billion fraud.

He was arraigned alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a bureau de change operator, and his company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise.

The defendants were arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N8,380,626,430.95.

The arraignment took place before O.A. Egwuatu, a judge at the federal high court in Abuja.

“That you, Aliyu Abubakar, Jasfad Resources Enterprise (a Bureau de Change operator), and Ibrahim Kashim (former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, now at large), sometime between January 5, 2024, and December 10, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence to wit: money laundering by converting and transferring the sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N2,808,595,100.00) of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government from the Bauchi State Expenditure Account, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1022197086 into the account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, also domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” part of the charge sheet reads.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Other defendants, including Ibrahim Kashim, a former secretary to the Bauchi state government; Aminu Hammayo, secretary to the Bauchi government; Saleh Mohammed; and Balarabe Abdullahi, are currently at large.

After the defendants took their pleas, Abba Mohammed, the counsel to the prosecution, asked for a trial date and prayed that the defendants be remanded at the correctional facility.

However, Mohammed Ndayako, the defence counsel representing the first and second defendants, and Chris Uche, counsel to the third defendant, moved applications for their clients’ bail.

Uche told the court that the Bauchi accountant-general, who is the third defendant, played an important role in the financial operations of the state, noting that he is already on administrative bail.

The counsel prayed that the court grant Jaja bail on self-recognition or release him to the attorney-general of Bauchi, who would undertake to produce him in court.

Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel told the court that the third defendant is not residing in Abuja, arguing that he is a flight risk.

After listening to the arguments, Egwuatu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200 million each with two sureties in like sum.

The trial judge ruled that the two sureties must be residents of Abuja, and one of them must be a federal government employee not below grade level 17.

The judge also ordered the defendants to submit their passports to the court registrar.

Pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, the court released the third defendant to Hassan Yakubu, attorney-general of Bauchi state.

The other defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The case was adjourned to June 17 for commencement of trial.

MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the demolition of two mosques in Aramoko, Ekiti State.

The Islamic human rights organization described the action as an onslaught on Islam in Ekiti State.

While no explanation was given for demolishing the first one, the second was pulled down to give way for a market which is a constituency project of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

The group queried the Senate Leader for embarking on war against Muslims in Ekiti State as his constituency project. MURIC charged the politician to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, 7th April, 2025 by the Executive Director of the faith-based civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads, “The authorities of Aramoko, Ekiti State, have pulled down two mosques in the town in recent time. The principal actors include the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, the Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Hon. Moses Omojola, his Vice, Hon. Isaac Fatoyinbo, a former deputy speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gbenga Odebunmi and Hon. Muyiwa Olabode, the Secretary of the council.

“A short notice was given to the Muslims to vacate their mosque situated at Sabo in Aramoko town for a constituency project of the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. Every trick in the books was employed to ensure that the mosque was demolished on 26th March, 2025.

“MURIC strongly decries the destruction of Sabo Central Mosque, Aramoko, Ekiti State. This action smirks of religious intolerance. It is a confirmation of renewed hostility against Yoruba Muslims and reinvigorated onslaught on the religion of Islam in the region. It is a hate action aimed at eliminating Islam not only in the city of Aramoko and Ekiti State but in the entire Yoruba geographical space.

“In particular, we are surprised that a politician of immense exposure at the federal level in the person of no less a personality as Opeyemi Bamidele who has risen to the status of Senate Leader in Nigeria could give the green light to the perpetration of such a dastardly act against a section of his constituents simply because they are Muslims.

“Muslims of Aramoko have been heart-broken since the incident. They are hugely disappointed in the person of the Senate Leader whom they had voted into senate to represent them but who had turned round to deprive them of their place of worship.

“Man is body, soul and spirit. The material provisions of this world can only meet the needs of the body. Our souls and spirits will only be at rest when we commune effectively with Allah. To demolish our mosques for any reason whatsoever without immediate replacement is to deprive our souls and spirits of that much needed spiritual shelter. It is a declaration of war against Allah, our Creator.

“MURIC affirms that the demolition of Sabo Central Mosque for Opeyemi Bamidele’s constituency project breaches Allah-given fundamental human rights of the Muslims of Aramoko. It is also a violation of Section 38(i)&(ii) which guarantees freedom of worship.

“Our question to the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele is this: How can Allah give us one thing and you, a homo sapien, take the same thing from us? Not even in the name of a constituency project should this happen because that mosque has been on that spot at Sabo for donkey years and the Senate Leader knows it.

“It is unacceptable. It is an anti-Muslim act. We are shocked that at your level and with your exposure, you will still embark on war against Muslims in your comfort zone. By their actions, you shall know them.

“But it is not too late. MURIC urges the Senate Leader to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

“Nigerian Muslims have special regard for their mosques. It is part of their anatomy and their soul. An attack on one mosque is attack on all mosques in the country because they know that anyone who demolishes one mosque will be ready to destroy all other mosques if he has the chance to do so.

“That is why Muslims will be waiting for Opeyemi Bamidele if he ever seeks a federal position unless he rebuilds our Central Mosque at Sabo, Aramoko, Ekiti State. A Senate Leader who cannot protect Muslims and their cherished properties in his constituency cannot be expected to protect the interest of Muslims in Nigeria if he becomes a minister or gets to Aso Rock.

“Meanwhile we appeal to Muslims in the state to remain calm and unperturbed. Islam is a religion of peace and we expect every Muslim to be a good ambassador of his or her religion.”

MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Police on Monday fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama district area of Abuja and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The demonstration, which also held Lagos, is part of a larger nationwide action led by the Take It Back Movement (TIB).

In Abuja, the protesters had assembled to air their frustrations on the state of the economy and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

They were however thrown into panic as the police operatives came and deployed several cannisters of tear gas.

The smoke filled the air, forcing many to scamper in different directions for safety.

In Port Harcourt, the protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area, deploying tear gas to send the demonstrators in different directions.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, led the protest.

“We have informed the political authorities that we will not accept any laws that infringe on our fundamental human rights. We will continue to speak out,” Sowore said.

“The police are aware that we are marching today. They claim to have their own event as well, but we’ve made it clear that theirs cannot interfere with ours.

“We have also informed them that we are heading to the National Assembly. If they wish, they can mobilise and march alongside us.

“In fact, we’ve told Nigerian police officers that the time has come for the people and the police to unite. Together, we can fight to improve both their living and working conditions.

“Nigerian police are among the most mistreated globally, yet they continue to harm those advocating for their welfare. We will not tolerate this any longer.

“While we protest here, Tinubu is busy enjoying himself in France. We will not sit idly while the president continues to suppress our rights.

“We’ve also made it clear that the current inspector general of police, who is leading the programme at Eagle Square today, holds the position unlawfully.

“He has overstayed his tenure after 16 years in power. This is one of the main reasons we are marching today. No one can suppress a powerful idea.

“As we march here today, similar protests are happening in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“These are just the early signs. Very soon, all Nigerians will rise up, and no force will be able to hold them back.”

National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the core demands of the protesters include the repeal of the cybercrime act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers state, which the group described as a “form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had urged the organisers to shelve the protest and encouraged them to dialogue with relevant government institutions.

The demonstration also coincides with the National Police Day celebration on April 7.