The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has arraigned Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a ten-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds and alleged terrorism financing.
Adamu was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three others, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed
Prosecution Counsel, Samuel Chime, informed the court that the matter was for arraignment, praying that the charge be read to the defendants.
According to one of the charges, Adamu, sometime in 2024, while serving as Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi state Government, received cash payments in the sum of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars( USD 6,950,000) otherwise than through a financial institution, thereby contravening Section 2(1) and Section 19(1) (d) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused Adamu, Sirajo Jaja, Accountant-General of Bauchi state and currently at large, Samaila Irmiya Liman, also currently at large, Balarabe Abdullahi Illelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government Accounts and/or payment instrument, of conspiring to provide funds to the tune of Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD 2,300,000) in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, “pursuant to approvals granted by the executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, having reasonable grounds to believe, that the said funds would be used, in whole or in part to finance a terrorist or terrorist group”, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the terrorism(Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them prompting prosecution counsel, Samuel Chime to ask the court for a trial date.
Responding, the defendants counsel told the court that the defence have filed separate motions for bail on behalf of the defendant, to which Chime responded, stating that the prosecution have been served and have already filed a joint counter-affidavit.
Justice Emeka Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter for ruling on the bail application to 5 January, 2026, while remanding the defendants at Kuje correctional Centre.
