The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday denied the bail application of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and his co-defendants, who are facing allegations of financing terrorism to the tune of $9.7 million
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the charges posed a serious threat to national security and public safety, noting that terrorism-related offenses undermine social order and that releasing the accused before trial could endanger the public.
While acknowledging Section 36(5) of the Constitution, which presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty, the judge emphasized that the provision is “not absolute” and that all factors, including the nature of the offense, the evidence, and the potential severity of punishment, must be considered when ruling on bail.
“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence before me, the proof of evidence, and statements from prosecution witnesses, including Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni, alongside the grave threat this case poses to national security and public safety,” Justice Nwite said. “In my view, the prosecution has successfully raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicants. Accordingly, the application is refused.”
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned the trial to January 13.
Adamu and his co-defendants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment on a 10-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 31, 2025. They all pleaded not guilty.
The charges allege that between January and May 2024, the accused conspired to provide $2,300,000 to Bello Bodejo and associates, allegedly pursuant to approvals from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Other accused in the case, including former Bauchi State Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja and Samaila Irmiya Liman, remain at large.
Separately, the court recently granted Adamu bail in a money-laundering case, setting the sum at N500 million with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be landowners in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, and their property documents are to be verified by the court registry.
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