Former Bauchi Accountant-General Remanded Over ₦40bn Loan Scam

A Bauchi State High Court has ordered the remand of a former Accountant-General of the state, Dr. Sa’idu Abubakar, over allegations of financial misconduct involving about ₦40 billion in allegedly diverted public funds.

Justice Muazu Abubakar of High Court No. 5 issued the remand order on Thursday 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.

Dr. Abubakar, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, is standing trial over allegations of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and dishonest conversion of public funds obtained through multiple loan facilities.

According to court documents in Suit No. BA/205C/2025, the former Accountant-General is accused of using his position to secure loan facilities in the name of the Bauchi State Government for projects that allegedly did not exist.

The prosecution alleged that between December 2023 and January 2024, while still in office, he diverted funds obtained through several commercial banks under the guise of executing government projects.

Among the allegations is the alleged diversion of ₦3 billion obtained from United Bank for Africa (UBA) for a purported contract for the supply of 5,000 motorcycles to civil servants, which prosecutors described as non-existent.

He is also accused of misappropriating ₦4.6 billion obtained from Polaris Bank for another alleged motorcycle supply contract involving 15,000 units, as well as ₦3.36 billion from UBA for a separate 7,000-unit motorcycle deal.

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

One of the counts specifically accused him of using forged documents dated January 2024 to obtain a ₦3 billion loan from UBA, allegedly in favour of Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises for a contract that never existed.

He is further accused of criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and manipulation of government approval processes to facilitate the alleged diversion of funds.

At the hearing, defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendant pending trial, but the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the gravity of the charges and the interest of justice warranted his continued detention.

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

The case was adjourned to July 2, 2026, for hearing of a preliminary objection filed by the defence.

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