Terror financing trial of Bauchi finance commissioner stalls as court returns file to chief judge 

Proceedings in the alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, were stalled on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the presiding judge returned the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the return of the file following the resumption of court activities after the judicial vacation, noting that the matter had been handled as a vacation case.

Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank Plc in Bauchi State, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering.

He is standing trial as the first defendant alongside three other Bauchi State civil servants—Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed on a 10-count charge.

Read also: EFCC arraigns Bauchi commissioner, three others over alleged $9.7m terrorism financing

The defendants were arraigned on December 31, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to all charges. On January 5, Justice Nwite declined their bail applications, citing concerns that the alleged offences posed threats to national security and public safety.

He ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and fixed January 13 for the commencement of trial, with a directive for accelerated hearing.

However, when the matter was called on Monday, no counsel appeared in court for the EFCC.

Chris Uche, SAN, counsel to the defendants, told the court that during the previous sitting on January 5, the judge explained that the adjournment was due to the court sitting as a vacation court.

“In compliance with the court’s directive, the defendants have been produced from Kuje Correctional Centre, and we are present for today’s proceedings,” Uche said.

He also informed the court that he had met Adebayo Ojo, SAN, in another courtroom, who said he had been engaged as lead counsel for the prosecution and that his junior lawyers would appear for the matter.

When the court asked if any of the prosecution’s junior counsel were present, there was no response.

Justice Nwite subsequently directed that the case file be returned to the court registry for reassignment by the Chief Judge.

Read also: Court denies bail to Bauchi finance commissioner, three others over alleged terrorism financing

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, was filed on December 30, 2025, by EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime.

In count one, Adamu, alongside Sirajo Jaja, the former Accountant-General of Bauchi State (now at large), Samaila Irmiya Liman (also at large), and the three other defendants, allegedly signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts, are accused of conspiring between January and May 2024 to provide $2.3 million in cash.

The funds were allegedly provided for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals said to have been granted by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. Prosecutors allege that the funds were used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist group.

The offence is alleged to be contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the same law.