Terrorism Financing: Court Denies Bauchi Commissioner, Three Others Bail
Abuja, January 5, 2026
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday refused bail applications filed by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering offences.
The other defendants are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The four were arraigned on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts alleges that Yakubu Adamu, while serving as Commissioner for Finance of the Bauchi State Government, received cash payments totaling Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (USD 6,950,000) in 2024, otherwise than through a financial institution, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The defendants, through their counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant them bail, arguing that the court had the discretion to do so and that the defendants are family men with children who would not abscond.
However, the prosecution, led by Chime Samuel, opposed the bail application, informing the court that the defendants were facing serious terrorism-related and money laundering charges. The prosecution further disclosed that the charges include allegations of cash payments amounting to about One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1,800,000) made outside the banking system, as well as attempts to disguise the origin of the funds.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the nature of the offences and the materials placed before the court did not justify the grant of bail. He noted that terrorism-related offences pose a grave threat to public safety and social order.
“I have taken cognizance that terrorism-related offences threaten social order and that pre-trial release could endanger the public. In my view, the prosecution has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicants,” the judge said.
He added that the interest of justice would be better served by an accelerated hearing of the case and accordingly refused the bail application.
Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for hearing.
