UPDATED: Bauchi Commissioner, 3 Others Denied Bail on Terrorism Financing Charges

Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, has been denied bail alongsides three others over terrorism financing charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Although Adamu was granted bail on friday last week by Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4.6 billion, he was denied bail on the terrorism financing allegations.

The three others are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.

They were arraigned on Wednesday,  December  31, 2025 on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing 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.”
 
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.”
 
The defendants, had, through their counsel, Chris Uche SAN, prayed the court to grant bail to them on the grounds that the court has jurisdiction to grant bail and that they are family men with children.

In a counter application, prosecution counsel, Chime Samuel, informed the court that the defendants are standing trial before the court on a ten-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences and money laundering.

“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.

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Delivering ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite refused to grant bail to the defendants and ordered an accelerated hearing on the matter.
 
“I have also taken cognizance that terrorism related offenses threatens social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public. In my view, the prosecution respondent have 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.
 
He thereafter  adjourned the matter to Tuesday, January 13, 2026 for hearing.