By Idris Khalid A Bauchi State High Court has denied bail to the former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Dr. Sa’idu Abubaka...
By Idris Khalid
A Bauchi State High Court has denied bail to the former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Dr. Sa’idu Abubakar, who is facing trial over an alleged N11 billion loan fraud.
Abubakar was arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents, cheating, and the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
According to the prosecution, the former Accountant-General fraudulently obtained multiple loan facilities exceeding N11 billion from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Polaris Bank Plc on behalf of the Bauchi State Government without the required approvals and through the use of allegedly forged documents.
The prosecution further alleged that the loans, valued at N3 billion, N4.65 billion, and N3.36 billion respectively, were secured under the guise of financing motorcycle supply contracts for civil servants, projects it claimed never existed.
Court documents indicated that the loan facilities were allegedly backed by forged State Executive Council resolutions, House of Assembly resolutions, and Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPOs).
Dr. Abubakar is also accused of dishonestly converting public funds, misleading government officials into issuing resolutions, possessing forged documents, and abusing his position while serving as the state's Accountant-General.
During proceedings, defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendant pending the determination of the case. However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the nature of the allegations and the interest of justice warranted his continued detention.
In its ruling, the court declined the bail request and ordered that Dr. Abubakar be remanded at the Bauchi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to a later date for continuation of trial.
The prosecution team is led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), while the defence is represented by senior lawyers Isiyaku Ibrahim (SAN) and Mahmud Abubakar Magaji (SAN).
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