A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused the request for bail made by the Commissioner of Finance in Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, and three others accused, among others, of financing terrorism to the tune of $9.7 million.
The other three are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
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Adamu, said to be a former Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Plc (Bauchi branch) and the other three were arraigned on December 31, 2025 on a 10-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which they were accused of engaging in terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7million.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which their lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), argued their bail applications, which the prosecuting lawyer, Samuel Chime, opposed.
Ruling on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that by the nature of the offences with which the defendants were charged, it was necessary to balance their right with that of the larger society.
Justice Nwite noted that the offences alleged in the charge threaten national security and public safety, adding that terrorism related offences threaten social order.
The judge held that granting pre-trial release of the defendants could endanger the public, and therefore, such bail could not be granted.
He then proceeded to issue an order granting accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Nwite said, “I am not unmindful of the constitutional provision of Section 36(5), which provides that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he/she is proven guilty.
“But, I must not hesitate to state that the said constitutional provision is not absolute. In the consideration of application for bail, all factors have to be considered.
“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence available before me at this point in time, and I have also considered the proof of evidence, especially the statement of Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni and other prosecution witnesses, together with the grave threat to national security and public safety this case poses,” he said.
Justice Nwite said he also took cognisance of the fact that terrorism related offences threaten social order and that 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 applicants.
“In view of the foregoing, I am of the humble view, and I so hold, that the interest of justice will be met by giving the matter an accelerated hearing.
“Consequently, the application for bail is hereby refused,” the judge ruled.
Justice Nwite then adjourned till January 13 for the commencement of the trial.
In count one of the charge, Adamu, Sirajo Jaja (while being Accountant-General of Bauchi State, now at large}, Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large}, Ilelah, Bose and Mohammed (said to be civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have committed the offence sometime between Jan. 2024 and May 2024.
They were alleged to have conspired to provide funds in the aggregate sum of 2,300,000.000 U.S. dollars in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
The said funds were alleged to be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group.
In count three, the defendants were accused of being involved in an arrangement which resulted in the sum of about 500,000.00 U.S. dollars being delivered in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him for the purpose of terrorism and for the benefit of a proscribed terrorist group pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed.
They were, in count four, accused of conspiring to disguise the origin of the 2, 300, 000. 00 U.S. dollars, being Bauchi State Government’s funds, routed through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators and other nominees, and converting the same to U.S. dollars, for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.