The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the reassignment of the case against Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who faces allegations of terrorism financing. The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on Tuesday, directed that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.
The development comes nearly two weeks after Adamu was remanded to Kuje Prison. Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, was arraigned on December 31, 2025, alongside three alleged accomplices, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, on a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges include conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC alleges that between January and May 2024, Adamu and the other defendants, including the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, and Samaila Irmiya Liman, disbursed $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and his associates. Bodejo, former President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, was previously charged with terrorism for forming a vigilante militia in Nasarawa State. The EFCC claims the defendants knew the funds could be used to support terrorist activities.
According to court documents, Adamu allegedly received nearly $7 million in cash outside the banking system, contrary to Sections 2(1), 19(1)(d), and 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Act. Some co-accused, including the Accountant-General, remain at large.
During proceedings, the defendants pleaded not guilty and had earlier sought bail, which was denied on January 5. On Tuesday, Justice Nwite granted a request by Adamu’s lawyer, Goddy Uche, SAN, for the case to be reassigned due to a procedural issue arising during the court’s vacation period.
The case will now continue under a new judge, with trial dates to be determined following reassignment.
