Terrorism Financing: Court Refuses Bail for Bauchi Finance Commissioner, Three Others
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants facing charges linked to alleged terrorism financing and money laundering. Justice Emeka Nwite gave the ruling on Monday, January 5, 2026, after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution. The other defendants are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed. The four men were brought before the court on December 31, 2025, where they pleaded to a ten count charge filed against them. The charges are said to border on terrorism financing and related financial crimes, under provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. According to the charge, one of the allegations is that Adamu, while serving as Commissioner for Finance, received large sums of cash outside the banking system. One count states that he allegedly collected 6.95 million dollars in cash in 2024, contrary to existing financial regulations. Their lawyer, Chris Uche SAN, asked the court to release the defendants on bail, arguing that the court had the power to do so and noting that the accused were responsible family men with children. The prosecution opposed the request. Counsel to the Federal Government, Chime Samuel, told the court that the case involved serious terrorism related offences and money laundering. He added that the allegations included cash transactions of about 1.8 million dollars, as well as claims that the source of the funds was deliberately concealed. In refusing the application, Justice Nwite said the nature of the case required caution. “I have also taken cognisance that terrorism related offences threaten social order and pre trial release could endanger the public,” the judge said. He added that the prosecution had placed sufficient material before the court at this stage. “The prosecution respondent has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicant,” he said. Justice Nwite ruled that justice would be better served by an accelerated hearing of the case and accordingly refused bail. The matter was adjourned to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for hearing.
| 2026-01-05 17:50:44