Court refuses bail for Bauchi commissioner, three others over terrorism financing charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others standing trial over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Monday, January 5, 2026, ordering instead that the case be given accelerated hearing.

Adamu is being tried alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed on a 10-count charge.

The charges border on terrorism-related offences and violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the counts alleges that Adamu, in 2024, received cash totalling $6,950,000 outside the formal banking system, contrary to financial regulations.

Through their counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), the defendants asked the court to admit them to bail, arguing that the court had the discretion to do so and that they would not jump bail.

However, prosecution counsel, Chime Samuel, opposed the application, stressing that the defendants faced serious charges involving terrorism and suspicious cash transactions, including an alleged $1.8m payment made outside financial institutions.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that releasing the defendants on bail could pose risks, noting that offences relating to terrorism threaten public safety.

He stated that the prosecution had raised sufficient grounds to oppose bail and ruled that the interests of justice would be better served by speedy trial.

The case was adjourned to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for further hearing.