A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and his co-defendants in a case involving alleged terrorism financing to the tune of approximately $9.7 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling on Monday, denied the bail applications, citing the grave nature of the charges, which he said pose a significant threat to national security and public safety.
The judge emphasised that terrorism-related offences require heightened caution and that the interests of justice would be better served by an accelerated trial rather than releasing the defendants.
The defendants, Yakubu Adamu (1st defendant), Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed (all Bauchi State civil servants) were arraigned on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and terrorism financing under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to release large sums of cash, including about $2.3 million, to Bello Bodejo (former president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore) and associates, with funds allegedly approved by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and intended, in part, to support terrorist activities.
One of the counts accuses Adamu of receiving $6.95 million in cash outside financial institutions.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing the severity of the allegations and the sums involved.
Defence counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, noting that Adamu's detention had disrupted salary payments for state workers.
Justice Nwite ordered the defendants to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter for trial commencement (dates vary slightly in reports, but proceedings are set to continue).
Notably, in a separate money laundering case involving N4.6 billion allegedly committed during Adamu's time as a bank branch manager, the same court granted him N500 million bail with stringent conditions last week.
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