Again, Anti-graft Agency Apprehends Bala Muhammed’s Acolytes for N70bn Fraud

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Alhaji Sirajo Mohammed Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, in connection with an alleged N70 billion fraud. The arrest, which occurred on Wednesday in Abuja, also involved two other individuals: Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed currency exchange operator linked to Jasfad Resources Enterprise, and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.

The trio are being investigated for suspected money laundering, embezzlement of public funds, and misuse of state resources. According to EFCC sources, Jaja allegedly withdrew N59 billion from various bank accounts held in the name of the Bauchi State government and transferred these funds to Abubakar and Sambo.

The funds were then allegedly used to make cash payments to associates of the governor and party agents. Abubakar, who had previously been released on bail, has been rearrested. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is tied to Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed. This arrest comes amidst a history of corruption allegations surrounding the governor. In 2017, the EFCC arraigned the governor's son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, on 15 counts involving alleged N1.1bn fraud. While the case was initially filed in 2016, it was dismissed in 2021 after the EFCC's no-case submission was rejected.

The repeated allegations of corruption surrounding the governor and his associates raise serious concerns about the potential for abuse of power and misuse of public funds. The ongoing investigation into the N70 billion fraud scheme should be thoroughly pursued to ensure accountability and transparency in Bauchi State's governance.