Bauchi Finance Commissioner Terrorism Financing Case Reassigned

The Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has returned the case file of Nigeria — Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other civil servants to the Chief Judge for reassignment. This procedural step follows the court's vacation, as the case was initially handled by a vacation judge. Yakubu Adamu, a former manager at Polaris Bank Plc, along with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, are facing a 10-count charge by the Nigeria — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged terrorism financing and money laundering, involving approximately $9.7 million. They were arraigned on December 31, 2025, and pleaded not guilty. On January 5, Justice Nwite denied their bail applications, citing national security concerns, and ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre. The charges allege that between January and May 2024, Yakubu Adamu and others conspired to provide $2.3 million in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and his associates, with approvals allegedly granted by Nigeria — Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, to finance a terrorist group. The trial was initially set to commence on January 13, but the absence of the EFCC's legal counsel led to the case file's return for reassignment.