Three Bauchi State Accountant Generals (AGs), in recent years, have embroiled in multi-billion naira scandals while in office, WikkiTimes can report.
From 2019 to date, the State has faced many financial governance challenges involving high-profile fraud allegations worth billions of naira.
Aside from allegations that were directly linked to the state governor and his family, other high-profile government officials were involved in some fraud-related issues.
WikkiTimes reports that two out of the three AGs have their scandals investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while the other was handled internally by the Bauchi State Anti-Corruption Commission with the support of the Department of State Security, Bauchi Office.
WikkiTimes reports that the three cases have a similar pattern of alleged embezzlement, money laundering, and diversion of public funds for personal use.
The primary role of the Accountant General in the State is to oversee public funds, ensuring lawful allocation, transparent reporting, payroll integrity, and compliance with anti-graft laws to prevent abuse of public resources.
WikkiTimes recollects the instances which the three AGs in persons of Yusuf Ibrahim Gokaru, Saidu Abubakar, and Muhammad Sirajo Jaja were featured for alleged financial misappropriations while in office.
First, Yusuf Ibrahim Gokaru, who served as Bauchi State’s Accountant General until his retirement in 2015.
In 2020, Gokaru and State Director of Finance Ibrahim Muhammed Lele were arraigned on 42 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and obtaining funds by false pretence. The EFCC accused them of diverting ₦258 million from a World Bank-funded education project (SEPIP). Over ₦80 million was reportedly recovered during investigations.
WikkiTimes learnt that in 2021, Gokaru pleaded guilty to diverting ₦108 million from the same SEPIP project. Justice Muazu Abubakar of the Bauchi High Court sentenced him to one year in prison (with an option of fine) and ordered restitution of ₦77 million to the state. The EFCC noted ₦31 million had already been recovered from Gokaru.
Second, Abubakar Sa’idu, appointed in 2018 as AG by the then State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, was retained and his tenure extended by Governor Bala Mohammed until his removal in 2024.
Sa’idu, a fellow of the Chartered Accountants (ECA) and certified in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), was believed to have been retained by Gov. Mohammed due to the role he played in denying the then outgoing governor Mohammed Abubakar access to some funds federal government refunded Bauchi in 2019 shortly after the election that returned the incumbent elected.
Although there were no reported EFCC charges and prosecution against Saidu Abubakar, insiders told WikkiTimes that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Bauchi State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCAC) have been involved in the case, leading to the recovery of some resources.
WikkiTimes gathered that months after the AG’s removal, five commissioners were sacked by the governor. The Government did not give any reasons of wrongdoing for their sack.
The sources added that it took interventions and mediation from powerful politicians from Bauchi to bring the duo of Saidu Abubakar and Gov. Mohammed to settle the issue, which allegedly halted further prosecution on the alleged infractions.
Third, Sirajo Mohammed Jaja was appointed immediately after the removal of Saidu Abubakar.
WikkiTimes reports that Jaja was appointed a few months ago, but limited public details exist about his professional background before his appointment.
In March 2025, Jaja was arrested alongside Aliyu Abubakar (a bureau de change operator) and Sunusi Sambo (a POS operator) for alleged money laundering and diversion of ₦70 billion in state funds.
EFCC investigations revealed ₦59 billion was withdrawn through accounts controlled by Jaja, purportedly funneled to political agents and associates of the governor.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests but declined specifics, stating, “Investigations are ongoing.” The case marks one of the largest state-level graft allegations in 2025.
While Bauchi State’s Accountant Generals are entrusted with safeguarding public funds, the three cases reveal vulnerabilities and betrayal in fiscal oversight in the state.
Similarly, WikkiTimes had reported that the office of the then Secretary to the State Government, Kashim Ibrahim, spent about N30 billion as overhead cost while it had an allocation of just N9 billion in 2024. Gov. Mohammed ‘sacked’ the SSG shortly after, although the governor later gave him the option to resign, according to insiders.
Retraction and Apology
WikkiTimes wishes to correct a mistake made regarding Dr. Jamila Mohammed Dahiru, former Bauchi State Commissioner of Education. We erroneously linked her to a former Bauchi State accountant general, Dr Saidu Abubakar, as his wife, based on information from a supposedly reliable source.
We apologise to the duo of Dr Abubakar and Dr Dahiru, their families, and regret any embarrassment caused by this error.
