The Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja has been arraigned before a Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Jaja was arraigned alongside a bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, and his company.
Others involved in the case, who are currently at large, include a former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, the incumbent Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, Saleh Mohammed and Balarabe Abdullahi.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a nine-count charge, bordering on money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of more than eight billion naira.
Following their pleading not guilty to all charges, the prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand them in a Correctional Facility, while defence counsel, Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN, moved applications for their bail.
After hearing both parties Justice Egwuatu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200 million each with two sureties in like sum and the sureties must be residents of Abuja, of which one must be a federal government employee not below Grade Level 17.
Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, Jaja, the first defendant was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
The case is adjourned to June 17 for commencement of trial.
