A 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 Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj, and medical treatment.
Justice O.A. Egwuatu, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, struck out the application after the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the defendant could abscond while standing trial.
Jaja is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Aliyu Abubakar over an amended five-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion of Bauchi State Government funds and money laundering amounting to N1.63bn.
According to the anti-graft agency, Abubakar, identified as an unlicensed bureau de change operator, and Jaja allegedly converted public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government for personal use.
The development came after the conclusion of the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, by counsel to the second defendant, Chris Uche (SAN).
While addressing the court, Uche informed Justice Egwuatu that his client had applied for the temporary release of his international passport to enable him undertake a two-week trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj and medical check-up.
He stated that the defence had already received the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and would respond accordingly.
However, prosecuting counsel, Abba Muhammed (SAN), urged the court to reject the application, insisting that the defendant posed a flight risk, especially as some other persons linked to the case were still at large.
Muhammed told the court that the prosecution had filed a 10-paragraph affidavit on March 13, 2026, opposing the request and detailing reasons why the application should not be granted.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu struck out the application and adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.
