The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, and three other defendants standing trial over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering offences.
Emeka Nwite (Justice) delivered the ruling on Monday, rejecting separate bail applications filed by the defendants and ordering an accelerated hearing of the case.
The other defendants are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and related money laundering offences.
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According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, Spokesman for the Commission on Monday, the charges are brought under Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts alleges that Yakubu Adamu, in his capacity as Commissioner for Finance of the Bauchi State Government, received cash payments totalling six million, nine hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars (USD 6,950,000) sometime in 2024, otherwise than through a financial institution, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants were involved in other suspicious cash transactions, including payments of about one million, eight hundred thousand United States dollars ($1,800,000), outside the banking system, as well as activities aimed at disguising the origin of the funds.
At the bail hearing, Chris Uche,, counsel to the defendants, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the court had the jurisdiction to do so. He submitted that the defendants are responsible family men with children and posed no flight risk.
However, Chime Samuel, prosecution counsel, told the court that the defendants were facing serious terrorism-related and money laundering charges.
He argued that granting bail could undermine public safety and the administration of justice, given the gravity of the allegations and the nature of the offences.
In his ruling, Nwite held that the offences alleged posed a serious threat to public order and national security.
He said the court had carefully considered the arguments of both parties and the nature of the charges before arriving at its decision.
“I have also taken cognisance that terrorism-related offences threaten social order and that pre-trial release could endanger the public,” the judge said.
He added that the prosecution had raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility against the defendants at this stage of the proceedings.
“In my view, the prosecution 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 this matter an accelerated hearing. Consequently, the application is refused,” Nwite ruled.
The court thereafter adjourned the matter to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.
