The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the remand of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants in Kuje Correctional Centre until January 5, 2026, when it will decide on their bail applications.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Monday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to a 10-count charge of terrorism financing and money laundering involving approximately $9.7 million, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Charges and Allegations
The EFCC alleges that between January and May 2024, Commissioner Adamu, alongside former state officials now at large and other civil servants, conspired to route $2.3 million in cash from Bauchi State Government funds to Bello Bodejo, President of the group Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and associates. The prosecution claims the funds were intended, in whole or part, to finance terrorism, pursuant to approvals granted by Governor Bala Mohammed.
A further count alleges an additional $500,000** was delivered in cash for the same purpose. Other charges detail complex money laundering schemes, including the alleged disguising of **$6.95 million for the personal benefit of Commissioner Adamu, all routed through Bureau de Change operators from state coffers.
Following the defendants’ pleas, a legal tussle over bail ensued. The defence team, led by Gordy Uche, SAN, argued for “liberal” bail terms, noting that Adamu’s detention was affecting the payment of salaries for 60,000 state workers. Uche contended that the prosecution’s proof of evidence did not specifically link his clients to terrorism financing.
The EFCC, represented by Samuel Chime, vehemently opposed bail, citing the gravity of the terrorism-related charges, the massive sums involved, and revealing that Adamu is already facing a separate N4.6 billion money laundering charge before the same judge.
After hearing arguments, Justice Nwite adjourned the case solely for the bail ruling on January 5, 2026. The substantive trial dates will be set thereafter.
The defendants remanded alongside Adamu are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed. Two other named defendants, a former state Accountant-General and another official, are currently at large.
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