Court Rejects Bauchi Accountant General’s Request to Travel for Hajj, Medical Check-Up

Court Rejects Bauchi Accountant General’s Request to Travel for Hajj, Medical Check-Up

Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application filed by Bauchi State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, seeking permission to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj, and medical check-up.

Jaja is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Aliyu Abubakar over an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of Bauchi State Government funds and money laundering amounting to N1.63 billion.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, following the conclusion of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, defence counsel Chris Uche informed the court of his client’s request for temporary release of his passport to enable him travel for two weeks.

According to the defence, the trip was intended for the performance of Hajj and medical treatment.

However, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed opposed the application, arguing that the defendant constituted a flight risk, especially as other persons linked to the matter were still at large.

“The prosecution opposed the application of the second defendant with a 10-paragraph affidavit filed on March 13, 2026. We provided cogent reasons and urge the court to reject the application,” the prosecution stated.

In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu struck out the application and subsequently adjourned the case until June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.

Court Rejects Bauchi Accountant General’s Request to Travel for Hajj, Medical Check-Up