A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bail application of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three co-defendants facing terrorism financing charges.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Adamu and his co‑defendants Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose and Kabiru Mohammed, on 31 December 2025 on 10 counts involving terrorism financing and sundring money laundering offences.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences are 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
Delivering ruling on the bail application on Monday, Justice Emeka 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.
