The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by Bauchi State Accountant General Sirajo Muhammad Jaja to travel to Saudi Arabia for hajj and a medical check-up.
Justice O.A. Egwuatu ruled on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, that Jaja, who is standing trial for alleged money laundering, could not leave the country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Jaja alongside Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator, on a five-count charge of conversion of funds and money laundering involving N1.64 billion allegedly belonging to the Bauchi State Government.
After cross-examining the first prosecution witness, Jaja’s counsel Chris Uche, SAN, asked the court for a two-week release of his client’s passport to perform the pilgrimage and undergo a medical check-up. He said the defence had received the prosecution’s response but had not yet replied.
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Prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed, SAN, opposed the request, arguing that Jaja was a flight risk and that other parties in the case were at large. He cited a 10-paragraph affidavit filed on March 13, 2026, and urged the court to dismiss the application.
Justice Egwuatu struck out the application and adjourned the trial to June 30, 2026, for continuation.
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