Alleged terrorism financing: EFCC arraigns Bauchi Finance Commissioner, three others over $9.7m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, alongside three others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges bordering on money laundering and terrorism financing.

Adamu was docked alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.

The defendants face a ten-count charge involving conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7 million, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the charge sheet, the Finance Commissioner is alleged to have received cash payments totaling $6.95 million outside of financial institutions in 2024.

Furthermore, the EFCC accused Adamu, the other defendants, and the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja (who is currently at large), of conspiring to provide $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and his associates.

The prosecution alleged that these funds were released pursuant to approvals granted by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, with the knowledge that the funds would support terrorist activities.

When the charges were read, all defendants pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel, Samuel Chime, requested a trial date, stating, "We will be asking for a date to enable us to open our case."

Defense counsel informed the court that separate motions for bail had been filed for all defendants on December 30, 2025. 

In response, Chime confirmed receipt of the applications and noted that a joint counter-affidavit had been filed opposing bail.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to January 5, 2026.