Court Denies Bauchi Finance Commissioner Bail in $9.7m Terrorism Financing Case 

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, January 5, 2026, turned down bail applications of Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State’s Commissioner of Finance and three others.

The three others are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.

They were arraigned on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing 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, Justice Nwite refused to grant bail to the defendants and ordered an accelerated hearing on the matter.

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“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.