RismadarVoice Reporters
May 12, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, seeking permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage and medical check-up.
Justice O.A. Egwuatu dismissed the application on Tuesday during proceedings in the ongoing alleged money laundering case instituted against Jaja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Jaja is being prosecuted alongside one Aliyu Abubakar, described as an unlicensed bureau de change operator, on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of Bauchi State Government funds and money laundering amounting to N1.635 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants were involved in the laundering of ₦1,635,270,350.9 belonging to the Bauchi State Government.
At Tuesday’s sitting, following the conclusion of the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Abimbola Williams, counsel to the second defendant, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court of his client’s application to temporarily retrieve his passport.
According to the defence counsel, Jaja intended to travel to Saudi Arabia for two weeks to perform the Muslim pilgrimage and also undergo a medical examination.
“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 told the court.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the defendant constituted a flight risk, especially as some other persons linked to the case were still at large.
“The prosecution opposed the application of the second defendant with a 10-paragraph affidavit filed on March 13, 2026. We rely on all the depositions and annexures,” the prosecution counsel said.
He urged the court to reject the application on the grounds presented by the prosecution.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu struck out the application and subsequently adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
