The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, alongside three others, on charges of conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing.
The defendants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 31, 2025.
Prosecution counsel Samuel Chime told the court the matter was for arraignment. “We have a ten-count charge dated 30 December, 2025 and filed on the same day,” he said.
One of the counts alleged that Adamu received USD 6.95 million in cash in 2024, outside the banking system, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused Adamu, the Accountant-General of Bauchi State Sirajo Jaja (now at large), Samaila Irmiya Liman (also at large), and others of conspiring to provide USD 2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and associates, allegedly for terrorism financing.
The charge stated that the approvals came from Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed.
Court Proceedings
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
Chime requested a trial date. “We will be asking for a date to enable us to open our case,” he said.
Defence counsel confirmed bail motions had been filed for all four defendants on December 30, 2025. “We filed separate motions for bail in respect of the first, second, third and fourth defendant,” counsel told the court.
Chime responded that the EFCC had filed a joint counter-affidavit. “We have been served, we filed a joint counter affidavit yesterday, my lord, 30 December 2025,” he said.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 5, 2026 for ruling on the bail applications. The defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the decision.
Bala Mohammed Cries Foul, EFCC Denies Political Persecution
Following the arraignment of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others on terrorism financing charges, Governor Bala Mohammed alleged that the case was politically motivated.
He claimed he was being targeted because he belongs to the opposition and accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of influencing the EFCC to persecute him and his aides.
The governor described the charges as part of a wider plot to weaken his political base, insisting that his administration was under attack for refusing to align with the ruling party.
The Commission swiftly rejected these allegations in a statement titled “Disregard Bala Mohammed’s Wild Claims.”
The Commission said the governor’s accusations were “far‑fetched and mischievous,” stressing that EFCC is an independent, non‑partisan agency mandated to fight economic and financial crimes.
It noted that Mohammed had previously faced money laundering charges before becoming governor, adding that only constitutional immunity halted that case.
EFCC insisted the current terrorism financing charges against Bauchi officials are based on evidence already before the court.
The Commission cautioned politicians against crying persecution whenever called to account, pointing out that it recently arraigned a senior member of the ruling party without similar complaints.
“Governor Mohammed should focus on governance and allow the EFCC to clean the financial space of the nation,” the statement concluded.
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