The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused to grant bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants standing trial over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering offences.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Monday, January 5, 2026, dismissed the bail applications filed by Adamu alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The defendants were arraigned on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and money laundering, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleges that Yakubu Adamu, in his capacity as Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, received cash payments totalling 6.95 million United States dollars in 2024, outside a financial institution, an offence the prosecution said contravenes the provisions of the Act.
The defendants, through their counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to admit them to bail, arguing that the court had the jurisdiction to do so. The defence also contended that the defendants are responsible family men with children and would not abscond if granted bail.
Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Chime Samuel, told the court that the defendants were facing serious terrorism-related offences and money laundering charges. He added that the allegations included the receipt of about 1.8 million United States dollars in cash outside the banking system, as well as attempts to disguise the origin of funds.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the nature of the offences and the materials placed before the court justified the refusal of bail. He noted that terrorism-related offences pose a serious threat to public safety and social order.
“I have taken cognisance that terrorism-related offences threaten social order, and pre-trial release could endanger the public. In my view, the prosecution has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicants,” the judge said.
He added that the interest of justice would be better served by an accelerated hearing of the case, consequently refusing the bail applications.
Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter to Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.
