Federal High Court Grants Bail to Bauchi Finance Commissioner in Terrorism Financing Case
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants facing charges of terrorism financing and money laundering involving $9.7 million. The court's decision marks a significant development in a high-profile case that has attracted national attention due to its implications for security and governance.
Strict Bail Conditions Imposed by the Court
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦100 million with two sureties each. The court imposed stringent conditions including:
- Sureties must be serving permanent secretaries or directors in the civil service
- Defendants must deposit their international passports with the court registry
- Weekly reporting every Monday to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Bauchi State
- Verifiable documentation from all sureties
The judge emphasized that these conditions were deliberately strict due to the serious nature of the allegations, while acknowledging that the defendants had presented sufficient materials to warrant judicial discretion in their favor.
Background of the Case and Legal Proceedings
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 10-count charge against Commissioner Yakubu Adamu and three other Bauchi State officials: Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose, and Kabiru Mohammed. All defendants pleaded not guilty when first arraigned on December 31, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Initially, Justice Nwite had denied bail applications, citing the gravity of the alleged offences and their potential threat to national security and public safety. The defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial. However, the case was reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar after Justice Nwite returned the case file to the Chief Judge following the end of the court's vacation.
Defense Arguments and Court's Reasoning
Following reassignment, defense counsel Chris Uche (SAN) filed a fresh bail application, arguing that new facts had emerged since the initial refusal. Uche presented several key arguments:
- Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah who was central to prosecution allegations, had never been convicted of terrorism
- Federal Government had withdrawn terrorism-related charges against Bodejo, leading to their dismissal on May 29, 2024
- Neither Bodejo nor his organization had been officially proscribed as terrorist entities under Section 48(1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2022
In his ruling, Justice Umar agreed that the defendants were entitled to bail, noting that the law presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty. The court held that the defense had successfully shown that bail could be granted under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, while imposing conditions sufficient to ensure the defendants' availability for trial.
Political Context and Governor's Response
The case has taken on political dimensions, with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed claiming that the prosecution was politically motivated. The governor alleged that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and other unnamed federal government officials were behind the petition and prosecution, suggesting it was pressure to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Mohammed's comments have added another layer of complexity to the case, which already involves serious allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering against senior state government officials.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
The court has adjourned the matter to February 26, 2026, for the commencement of trial. With bail granted, the defendants must now comply fully with the court's conditions while the EFCC prepares to present its evidence.
The prosecution maintains that it will substantiate the terrorism financing and money laundering charges, while the defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing. The case remains under close public scrutiny due to its implications for national security and the involvement of high-ranking government officials.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, this case represents a significant test of the country's legal system in addressing complex financial crimes with potential links to terrorism activities. The outcome will likely have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.
