A Federal High Court in Abuja has sent the high-profile terrorism financing case involving Bauchi State's Commissioner for Finance back to the court's Chief Judge for reassignment. This development occurred after prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were absent from the scheduled hearing.
Case Stalled as Prosecution Fails to Appear
Justice Emeka Nwite made the decision to return the case file on Tuesday, January 13. The move followed the formal conclusion of the court's vacation period and the resumption of standard judicial proceedings. The matter had been designated as a vacation case, with a specific hearing date set for January 13.
When the court resumed, no legal representative appeared for the EFCC, the prosecuting body. Chief Chris Uche, SAN, counsel for the defendants, informed Justice Nwite that his clients had been brought to court from Kuje Correctional Centre as ordered. Uche stated he had been in contact with Adebayo Ojo, SAN, who indicated he was newly engaged as lead prosecution counsel and would send junior lawyers to handle the day's proceedings.
However, when the court inquired if any junior counsel from the prosecution team were present, there was no response from the gallery. This absence prompted the judge's action.
Defendants Remain in Custody on Serious Charges
The defendants in this case are Yakubu Adamu, the sitting Bauchi State Finance Commissioner, and three civil servants: Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed. They collectively face a ten-count charge filed by the EFCC.
The charges allege terrorism financing and money laundering involving a staggering sum of 9.7 million U.S. dollars. The defendants were arraigned on December 31, 2025, and each pleaded not guilty to all counts.
On January 5, Justice Nwite had denied their applications for bail. The judge cited national security concerns as the primary reason for refusing bail and ordered the accused persons to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The court had also granted an order for accelerated hearing at that time.
Details of the Alleged Conspiracy
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, the alleged crimes took place between January and May 2024. The EFCC, through its counsel Samuel Chime, alleges that Commissioner Yakubu Adamu conspired with others, including the Bauchi State Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja and Samaila Irmiya Liman—both currently reported to be at large—and the three other defendants.
The core allegation is that they conspired to provide $2,300,000 in cash for the benefit of an individual named Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him. The prosecution claims these funds were released based on approvals given by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The EFCC contends that this substantial amount of money was intended to finance a terrorist or terrorist group. This action is said to violate Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the same Act.
The return of the file to the Chief Judge means the case will now be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for continuation. This introduces a new phase of uncertainty into the proceedings, which have drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the state official involved and the grave nature of the accusations.
