EFCC arraigns Bauchi finance commissioner, three others over alleged $9.7m terrorism financing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, alongside three others, over allegations of money laundering and terrorism financing totaling $9.7 million.

Adamu was arraigned on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, together with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.

The defendants face a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful cash transactions, conversion of public funds and alleged financing of terrorism, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to one of the charges, Adamu allegedly received $6.95 million in cash in 2024 without routing the transaction through a financial institution.

Another count alleges that Adamu, along with other officials — including the Bauchi Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, and Samaila Irmiya Liman, both said to be at large — conspired between January and May 2024 to provide about $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and associates.

The EFCC claims the defendants had reason to believe the funds would be used to support terrorism.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.

Prosecuting counsel, Samuel Chime, requested a date to commence trial, while defence lawyers informed the court that bail applications had already been filed for each of the defendants.

The EFCC confirmed it had responded with a joint counter-affidavit.

Justice Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail applications to January 5, 2026, and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision.