Court Refuses Bail for Bauchi Finance Commissioner Over Terrorism Financing Charges
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has denied the bail application of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants arraigned on charges related to alleged terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter on Monday, ruled that offences bordering on terrorism are generally not bailable, thereby rejecting the application filed by the accused persons.
The court’s decision comes despite an earlier ruling in a separate case. On Friday, Justice Nwite had granted Adamu bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties in like amount, in a different charge bordering on money laundering.
According to the allegations, Adamu is accused of laundering approximately ₦4.6 billion alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd during his tenure as a branch manager of Polaris Bank Ltd, Bauchi, between June and December 2023. The funds were allegedly linked to the financing of motorcycle supplies to the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises.
However, in the terrorism-related case for which bail was refused, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 10-count charge against Adamu and others. The anti-graft agency alleged that between January and May 2024, while serving as the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Adamu conspired with Samaila Irmiya Liman(currently at large), Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose, and Kabiru Mohammed, all civil servants, to provide the sum of $2.3 million for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.
The prosecution further claimed that the alleged transaction was carried out pursuant to approvals granted by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for continuation of hearing.
