A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the continued detention of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and four other defendants, following their arraignment on serious charges of terrorism financing and money laundering.
Court Cites Gravity of Charges in Bail Denial
Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Monday, January 5, 2026, denied the bail applications filed by the defendants. The judge ordered that Yakubu Adamu, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The court's decision was based on the severity of the allegations and the substantial sums of money involved. Judge Nwite stated that given the gravity of the accusations, it was appropriate for the defendants to remain in custody while the case progresses.
EFCC's Allegations: Funding Terror and Laundering State Cash
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the five individuals on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge. The prosecution, led by Samuel Chime, presented a case alleging massive financial crimes with implications for national security.
The EFCC's core allegation is that Commissioner Yakubu Adamu misappropriated over $6 million belonging to the Bauchi State Government. The anti-graft agency claims these funds were part of a complex money laundering scheme for the commissioner's benefit.
More critically, the EFCC alleges that state funds were released to a leader of the socio-cultural group Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other individuals. This money, running into millions of dollars, is said to have been used to finance a terrorist group between January and May 2024.
Legal Tussle and Separate Money Laundering Case
During the hearing, the defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Gordy Uche, vigorously argued for bail. Uche emphasized the constitutional rights of the accused to bail, urging the court to grant it on liberal terms.
However, the EFCC counsel strongly opposed the application. Samuel Chime highlighted the terrorism-related nature of the charges, the multiple counts of money laundering, and the enormous amount of public funds allegedly diverted.
In a related development, the same judge had earlier granted Yakubu Adamu bail in a separate money laundering case. On Friday, January 2, 2026, Judge Nwite granted the commissioner bail set at N500 million in a case involving Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd.
In that distinct matter, Adamu faces six counts of laundering N4.65 billion. These alleged offences were said to have been committed during his tenure as the Branch Manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, between June and December 2023.
Despite that bail, the denial in the terrorism financing case means Yakubu Adamu will remain in Kuje Prison as both legal battles continue. The court has adjourned further proceedings in the terrorism case to a later date for a ruling on pending applications.
The EFCC maintains that this case is of paramount national security importance, while the defence continues to assert their clients' entitlement to fair bail conditions. The outcome of this high-profile case is being closely watched across Nigeria's political and financial circles.
