Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Arraigned on Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Charges
Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally arraigned the Commissioner of Finance for Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, along with three co-defendants, facing a series of serious accusations including terrorism financing and money laundering totalling millions of US dollars and billions of Nigerian Naira. The arraignment took place before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, with the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025.
The four defendants, identified as Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, in addition to Commissioner Adamu, have each pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts brought against them. These charges, filed on December 30, allege a conspiracy that spanned from January to May 2024. The prosecution contends that the defendants, along with other individuals now reportedly at large, worked together to conceal and disburse substantial funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government. The ultimate aim, according to the charges, was to benefit Bello Bodejo and his associates, purportedly to finance a designated terrorist group.
One of the charges specifically details how Yakubu Adamu, in his capacity as Commissioner of Finance for the Bauchi State Government, allegedly received cash payments amounting to USD 6,950,000 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) outside of any formal financial institution. This act is presented as a violation of Section 2(1) and Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with penalties outlined under Section 19(2)(b) of the same legislation.
Further allegations presented in court include a conspiracy by the defendants to provide a total of USD 2.3 million (Two Point Three Million United States Dollars) in cash to Bello Bodejo and other unnamed individuals. Crucially, the prosecution claims that these transactions were allegedly approved by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and that the defendants had “reasonable grounds to believe” these funds would be used to support a terrorist organization. This aspect of the case falls under Section 26(1) and is punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Beyond the terrorism financing allegations, Commissioner Adamu is also confronting a separate set of six counts related to an alleged N4.6 billion (Four Point Six Billion Nigerian Naira) money laundering scheme. This scheme is reportedly linked to Polaris Bank Ltd. Prosecutors assert that funds earmarked for the procurement and supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government were allegedly diverted without the delivery of the intended goods.
Proceedings and Bail Applications
During Wednesday’s court session, EFCC counsel Samuel Chime formally requested that a trial date be set, indicating the prosecution’s readiness to present its witnesses and evidence.
In response, the defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Gordy Uche, informed the court that bail applications for the defendants, which were filed on December 30, had been duly served on the prosecution. Mr. Uche implored the court to grant bail on “liberal terms,” urging Justice Nwite not to be swayed solely by the severe nature of the charges. He highlighted the potential impact of Commissioner Adamu’s continued detention, suggesting it was hindering the timely payment of salaries to approximately 60,000 workers within Bauchi State.
However, the EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime, strongly opposed the bail applications. He cited the extreme gravity of the terrorism-related accusations, the substantial sums involved in the money laundering counts, and the fact that Commissioner Adamu faces a pending money laundering charge before the same court.
Adjournment and Remand
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter. The court has scheduled January 5, 2026, for a ruling on the pending bail applications. In the interim, all four defendants have been ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the bail hearings.
