Ex-Bauchi Accountant-General In Custody Over Alleged Fraud

A Bauchi State High Court has ordered the remand of former accountant-general of the state, Dr Sa’idu Abubakar, over allegations of financial misconduct involving approximately N40 billion.

Justice Muazu Abubakar of High Court 5 issued the order after the defendant was arraigned on a 16-count amended charge filed by the Bauchi State government under Section 116 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2022. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

According to court documents in Suit No. BA/205C/2025, the former accountant-general is accused of abusing his position and dishonestly converting public funds obtained through several loan facilities allegedly secured with forged government documents.

The prosecution alleged that between December 2023 and January 2024, while serving as Accountant-General, Dr Abubakar misused funds derived from loans obtained in the name of the Bauchi State Government for projects that allegedly never existed.

Among the allegations is the claim that he diverted N3 billion obtained from United Bank for Africa (UBA) for a purported contract involving the supply of 5,000 motorcycles to civil servants, a contract the prosecution described as non-existent.

He is also accused of misappropriating N4.6 billion allegedly obtained from Polaris Bank for the purported supply of 15,000 motorcycles to civil servants, as well as N3.36 billion secured from UBA for another alleged motorcycle supply contract involving 7,000 units.

The prosecution further alleged that the loan facilities were backed by forged State Executive Council resolutions, House of Assembly resolutions and Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPOs).

One of the charges alleges that Dr. Abubakar knowingly used forged government documents, including Executive Council and House of Assembly resolutions dated January 2024, to facilitate a N3 billion loan from UBA. The funds were allegedly intended for payment to Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises for a contract prosecutors say never existed.

In addition to allegations of criminal breach of trust, the former Accountant-General is accused of possessing forged documents, misleading government officials into issuing approvals, converting public funds for unauthorised purposes and abusing the powers of his office.

At the proceedings, defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendant pending trial. However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the seriousness of the allegations and the interest of justice warranted his continued detention.

In his ruling, Justice Abubakar declined the bail application and ordered that Dr. Abubakar be remanded at the Bauchi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to July 2, 2026, for the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by the defence.

The prosecution team wase led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), while the defendant way represented by Isiyaku Ibrahim (SAN) and Mahmud Abubakar Magaji (SAN).