EXCLUSIVE: How Bauchi Governor Hid Key EFCC Witness, Urged Nephew Duguri To Flee to Egypt In ₦4.6Billion Fraud Case –Sources

Sources familiar with the investigation allege that Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu is a central witness whose testimony could significantly strengthen the EFCC’s case.

Fresh details have emerged linking Muntaka Mohammed Duguri, a nephew of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, to the ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation into an alleged ₦4.6 billion money laundering scheme involving the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.

Duguri, who is now reportedly at large, is named as a co-accused in the six-count charge filed by the EFCC before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Another key figure in the case, Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Ltd, is also listed as being at large, a development that has complicated the prosecution’s case and stalled Adamu’s arraignment.

Court Orders EFCC to Produce Finance Commissioner

On Wednesday, December 24, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the EFCC to produce Yakubu Adamu in court on December 30 for his arraignment over alleged ₦4.6 billion money laundering.

The judge issued the order after EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime, failed to present the defendant for plea, warning that sanctions would be imposed if the prosecution again failed to bring Adamu to court on the next adjourned date.

Although Adamu and a corporate defendant, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, were listed for arraignment earlier in the week, proceedings could not go on due to the absence of both the prosecution and the defendants.

While Adamu is the first defendant, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd is the second defendant in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025.

According to the EFCC charge, Adamu, while serving as Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd in Bauchi, allegedly conspired with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri between June and December 2023 to facilitate the conversion, transfer, concealment, and use of about ₦4.65 billion.

The funds were allegedly availed by Polaris Bank under the pretext of financing the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises.

Count six of the charge further alleges that Adamu, Aliyu, and Duguri retained and transferred proceeds of unlawful activity through nominees and third-party accounts, including transactions routed through I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Ltd and the transfer of ₦165.9 million to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd.

The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 20(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Allegations of Witness Suppression and Flight

Sources familiar with the investigation allege that Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu is a central witness whose testimony could significantly strengthen the EFCC’s case.

According to the sources, Aliyu initially served as a front for Duguri in the alleged laundering operation through I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Ltd. However, the relationship reportedly broke down over disputes concerning proceeds from the scheme.

“Muntaka Duguri, who is now at large, is the nephew of Gov of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed. There is one guy called Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, who is the Managing Director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Ltd,” a government source said.

“This company is a slush company used for money laundering. And Ishaku is Muntaka's front in the money laundering business.”

The sources allege that following the fallout, Aliyu voluntarily reported to the EFCC and gave a statement detailing the alleged transactions and the roles of those involved.

They further allege that after learning of Aliyu’s cooperation with investigators, Governor Bala Mohammed instructed Duguri to leave the country for Egypt and subsequently ordered that Aliyu be taken away and kept out of sight to prevent him from testifying.

“It got sour between them at some point, because Muntaka was not giving him enough share from the largesse. And Ishaku went straight to the EFCC and gave his statement. When Governor Bala learned about that, he directed Muntaka to leave the country for Egypt,” the source said.

“And he ordered the arrested, or rather abduction of Ishaku, and kept away where EFCC cannot find him.”

According to sources, Aliyu’s disappearance directly affected the EFCC’s ability to proceed with the arraignment of the finance commissioner, as the prosecution’s principal witness is currently unavailable.

EFCC Faces Pressure as Case Stalls

Sources note that the absence of both Duguri and Aliyu has left the EFCC on what one source described as a “wild goose chase,” weakening the prosecution’s position and delaying justice in a case involving significant public funds.

“So, the EFCC is on a wild goose chase. Ishaku was kept hidden by Governor Bala, because once Ishaku testifies, a Pandora's Box would be opened for the governor's extended family. Pressure should be mounted on Bala and his government to produce Ishaku,” another source said.

“This is the reason why the EFCC could not produce the Finance Commissioner in court, because its principal witness is at large, or rather has been abducted and hidden in order to stop him from testifying.”