Proceedings in a terrorism financing case involving senior Bauchi State officials took a decisive turn on Monday as the Federal High Court in Abuja refused bail for the defendants, opting instead to fast-track the trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite declined the bail application filed by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants, citing the nature of the allegations and their implications for national security and public safety. The court held that the charges before it were of such gravity that pre-trial release would not be appropriate.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that offences connected to terrorism posed risks to social order and that granting bail at this stage could undermine public safety. He added that while the Constitution presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty, that principle must be weighed against other considerations when determining bail applications.
The judge referenced established judicial authorities, including a 2001 Supreme Court decision, which require courts to consider the seriousness of the offence, the strength of the evidence and the potential punishment upon conviction. He said these factors were relevant in assessing whether the defendants would remain available for trial and refrain from interfering with witnesses.
Justice Nwite noted that the court had reviewed the affidavit evidence and the prosecution’s proof of evidence, including witness statements, before reaching its decision. He concluded that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds at this stage to justify continued custody of the defendants.
Accordingly, the court ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings until January 13 for the commencement of trial.
The defendants were first arraigned on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They include Adamu, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, all Bauchi State civil servants. Each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired between January and May 2024 to provide funds totalling about 2.3 million dollars in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons linked to him, purportedly for the benefit of a terrorist group. The charges allege that the transactions were carried out following approvals granted by the Bauchi State Government.
Additional counts accuse the defendants of involvement in the delivery of further funds and of money laundering offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Following their arraignment, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail application.
Separately, Adamu is standing trial before the same court in another case involving alleged money laundering offences connected to a N4.6 billion transaction. Bail was granted in that matter last week under strict conditions.
The current terrorism financing case will now proceed to full trial as ordered by the court.
