Bauchi Finance Commissioner, Three Others arraigned Over $9.7 Million Terrorism Financing Allegation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, arraigned Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The defendants face a ten-count charge including conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same law.

Prosecution counsel, Samuel Chime, told the court that the matter was for arraignment and requested that the charges be read to the accused.

Talk Nigeria earlier reported the commissioner being arraigned on One of the counts alleges that Yakubu Adamu received cash payments totaling USD 6,950,000 outside a financial institution, an act deemed contrary to anti-money laundering laws. Another count claims that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to provide approximately USD 2,300,000 to Bello Bodejo and associates, allegedly with the knowledge that the funds could be used to finance terrorist activities, pursuant to approvals by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed.

The accused all pleaded “not guilty” as the charges were read, prompting the prosecution to request a trial date. The defence counsel informed the court that separate bail applications had been filed for each defendant on December 30, 2025. The prosecution confirmed that it had filed a joint counter-affidavit in response.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail applications to January 5, 2026, and remanded the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre.

According to Talk Nigeria, this case underscores the EFCC’s continued vigilance in prosecuting high-profile financial crimes and terrorism financing allegations, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enforce accountability among public officials.