Court Denies Bail To Bauchi Finance Commissioner In $9.7 Million Terrorism Financing Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bail application of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and his co-defendants, who face allegations of financing terrorism totaling $9.7 million. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Monday, said the charges posed a serious threat to national security and public safety. He noted that terrorism-related offenses undermine social order, and granting bail before trial could endanger the public. While acknowledging the constitutional presumption of innocence under Section 36(5), the judge emphasized that the provision is “not absolute” and that factors such as the nature of the offense, available evidence, and potential severity of punishment must guide bail decisions. “I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence, the statements of prosecution witnesses, including Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni, and the grave threat this case poses to national security and public safety. The prosecution has successfully raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility,” Justice Nwite said. “In view of these factors, the bail application is refused, and the case will proceed on an accelerated schedule.” The trial was adjourned to January 13 for commencement. Adamu and his co-defendants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after their arraignment on a 10-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 31, 2025. All the accused pleaded not guilty. The charges allege that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to provide $2,300,000 to Bello Bodejo and his associates, purportedly with approvals from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Two other accused in the case, former Bauchi Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja and Samaila Irmiya Liman, remain at large. In a separate money-laundering case, Adamu was recently granted bail of N500 million with two sureties of the same amount. The court ordered that the sureties be verified landowners in Abuja’s Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts.
