Bauchi Funds Scandal: EFCC Witness Reveals Alleged Transfer Of State Money To Private Firm

A compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, UBA, Williams Abimbola, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja how a series of transactions were allegedly made from a Bauchi State Government sub-treasury account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises.

Abimbola, who appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial involving Bauchi State Accountant-General Sirajo Muhammed Jaja and other defendants, gave details of the transactions while testifying before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

The defendants are facing an amended five-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations involving money laundering, diversion and criminal misappropriation of public funds valued at about ₦1.635 billion. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the witness told the court that her responsibilities as a compliance officer included responding to requests from law enforcement agencies, handling enquiries and performing other duties assigned by the bank’s chief compliance officer.

The prosecution presented bank account statements and related documents in support of its case. Abimbola subsequently gave evidence concerning transactions involving the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account and the account of JASFAD Resources Enterprises.

According to her testimony, three credit transfers were made from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account to JASFAD on October 29, 2024. The transactions were listed as ₦13.14 million, ₦17.17 million and ₦46.03 million respectively.

She further told the court that another transfer of ₦17.89 million was recorded on November 7, 2024. On November 15, two additional transfers of ₦12.22 million and ₦16.92 million were allegedly made from the Bauchi sub-treasury account.

The witness also identified a transfer of about ₦90.37 million on November 19 and another transaction of approximately ₦140.09 million on November 22, 2024.

According to the evidence presented, further transactions occurred in December. Two transfers made on December 24 were listed as approximately ₦24.19 million and ₦48.89 million, while two transfers on December 27 were said to amount to ₦335.04 million and ₦300 million.

The witness also referred to additional transactions on December 31, 2024, including transfers of approximately ₦14.29 million and ₦26.98 million.

The testimony continued into transactions allegedly carried out in 2025. Abimbola told the court that transfers were recorded on February 25, March 3, March 5, March 7, March 10, March 12 and March 14, with several of the transactions running into millions of naira.

She said the February 25 transactions included transfers of ₦19.84 million and ₦13.02 million, while the March 12 transactions were listed as ₦49.28 million and ₦30.72 million.

The prosecution alleges that the defendants, who were connected to the Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts, transferred public funds to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, which is associated with defendant Aliyu Abubakar. The EFCC has alleged that the transactions formed part of a wider scheme involving the conversion and laundering of Bauchi State funds.

The case has previously involved testimony from Abimbola concerning bank records and transfers between the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account and JASFAD Resources. Earlier proceedings also established that the EFCC had requested relevant account statements and banking documents from UBA as part of its investigation.

Counsel representing the defendants indicated that they would cross-examine the witness at a later date. Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the proceedings to October 22, 2026, for continuation of the cross-examination and further hearing of the case.