FHC Denies Bail to Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Accused of Terrorism Financing
The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, YAKUBU ADAMU, who is facing trial on charges on terrorism financing.
Justice EMEKA NWITE, who is presiding over the case, also denied bail to ADAMU’s three other co-accused persons - BALARABE ABDULLAHI ILELAH, AMINU MOHAMMED BOSE and KABIRU YAHAYA MOHAMMED.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned ADAMU and the three others on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 on a ten-count charge of terrorism financing contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
One of the counts reads; “That you Yakubu Adamu (being Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi state Government), sometimes in the year 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive cash payments in the sum of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars( USD 6,950,000) otherwise than through a financial institution, and you and offence contrary to Section 2(1) and Section 19(1) (d) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
“That the charge also alleges cash payment of about One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1,800,000.00) otherwise than through a financial institution, and allegations relating to disguising the origin of funds
The defendants, had, through their counsel, CHRIS UCHE, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, prayed the court to grant them bail as family men with children, but the prosecution counsel, CHIME SAMUEL, raised an object.
In his ruling on the bail application, Justice NWITE refused to grant bail to the defendants, ordered an accelerated hearing on the matter and adjourned the matter to January 13, 2026.
“I have also taken cognizance that terrorism related offenses threaten social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public. In my view, the prosecution respondent has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicant, in view of the forgoing, I am of the humble view and I so hold that the interest of justice will be met by giving this matter accelerated hearing, consequently, the application is refused”, he said.