The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, along with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering and terrorism financing.
The defendants face a 10-count charge involving conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing. The prosecution counsel, Samuel Chime, noted that the charges were filed on December 30, 2025, and urged the court to read them to the defendants.
According to the EFCC, Adamu allegedly received $6.95m in cash outside the banking system in 2024, violating the Money Laundering Act. Between January and May 2024, he allegedly conspired with Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, Samaila Irmiya Liman, and the other defendants to provide about $2.3m in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and associates, funds that were purportedly approved by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed with the intent to finance terrorism.
The offences contravene Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following their plea, the prosecution requested a trial date, while defence counsel informed the court of separate bail applications filed on December 30, 2025. Chime confirmed that the prosecution filed a joint counter-affidavit opposing bail.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 5, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
