By RismadarVoice Reporters
January 5, 2026
Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to Yakubu Adamu, the Commissioner of Finance in Bauchi State, and three other defendants standing trial over alleged terrorism financing, money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Monday, 5 January 2026, refusing the bail applications of Yakubu Adamu, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The defendants were arraigned on December 31, 2025 on a ten count charge – bordering on terrorism financing and money laundering under the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
One of the charges alleges that Yakubu Adamu, in his capacity as Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi State Government, received cash payments amounting to six million nine hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars in 2024 outside the banking system. The offence is said to be contrary to the provisions of the law.
The defendants, through their counsel, applied for bail, arguing that the court had jurisdiction to grant bail, that the accused persons are family men with dependants.
The prosecution opposed the application, stating that the defendants are facing serious terrorism related offences, including allegations of cash payments of about one million eight hundred thousand United States dollars and efforts to disguise the origin of funds.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that terrorism related offences pose a threat to public order, that granting bail could endanger the public. He ruled that the prosecution had established a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility against the defendants.
The court ordered an accelerated hearing of the case, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, January 13, 2026 for continuation of trial.
