The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned indefinitely the alleged terrorism-financing case against Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered the adjournment after informing the court that the prosecution, led by M.O. Adebayo, had written to the Chief Judge expressing discomfort with how the case was being handled and requesting its transfer. The judge noted that the Chief Judge had not yet responded.
Defence counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), expressed surprise at the development, arguing that any communication to the Chief Judge or presiding judge should have been copied to the defence for input. He described the situation as “unfair,” saying the defence’s rights were undermined by not being included.
Uche also asked the court to release the first defendant’s passport to allow him travel, explaining that Adamu is part of a high-level delegation supervising Hajj preparations in the state.
Justice Umar responded that the matter was administrative rather than judicial, noting he was not expected to continue hearing the case in light of the letter to the Chief Judge, and advised counsel to obtain a new date. Uche said he would also write to protest the prosecution’s failure to notify the defence, arguing such actions “will not do the administration of justice any good.”
While the prosecution requested the case be adjourned sine die pending reassignment, the defence objected, warning that without a fixed date the matter could “die.” The judge nevertheless adjourned the case sine die pending the Chief Judge’s decision.
Adamu and three others face a 10-count charge involving terrorism financing and money laundering in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025 filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Prosecutors allege that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to channel millions of dollars in Bauchi State Government funds to individuals allegedly linked to terrorist elements.
The charges are said to violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were first arraigned on December 31, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite, sitting as a vacation judge, and pleaded not guilty. Adamu was granted bail in January 2026 in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court ruled that the sureties must own landed property in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, subject to verification by the court registry, and must depose to an affidavit of means before the case file was returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
