Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused bail applications filed by Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three co-defendants facing charges of alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling, held that terrorism-related offences pose grave threats to national security and public safety, stressing that pre-trial release could endanger the public. He therefore ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
“I am not unmindful of the constitutional presumption of innocence, but it is not absolute,” Nwite said, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Bamaiyi v. State (2001), which emphasised the need to consider the nature of the offence, evidence, and severity of punishment in bail applications.
The defendants — Adamu, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — were arraigned on Dec. 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
According to the charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025), the accused allegedly conspired between January and May 2024 to provide funds amounting to $2.3 million to Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and associates, for terrorism financing. Another count alleged the delivery of $500,000 in cash for the benefit of a proscribed terrorist group, purportedly approved by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The EFCC said the offences contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Jan. 13 for the commencement of the trial.
Separately, Adamu and a company, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Ltd, face another six-count money laundering charge involving ₦4.6 billion before the same judge. In that case, he was granted bail of ₦500 million with two sureties owning property in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa.
