The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three civil servants standing trial over alleged terrorism financing involving N400 million.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who recently took over the case, ordered each of the four defendants to deposit N100 million as bail and provide two sureties each. The sureties must be serving senior civil servants one a permanent secretary and the other a director.
The court further directed the defendants to surrender their international passports, remain within Nigeria, and report weekly to the Bauchi State office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The ruling represents a significant reversal of an earlier decision by Justice Emeka Nwite, who in June 2025 declined to grant bail, citing national security concerns. Justice Nwite had warned that terrorism-related offences posed grave risks to public safety and social order.
Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, was arraigned on December 31, 2025, alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the prosecution, between January and May 2024, the defendants acting as authorised signatories to Bauchi State government accounts allegedly handed over $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and his associates.
Bodejo was previously arrested after unveiling a vigilante group in Nasarawa State and accused of setting up an ethnic militia. Although charges against him were withdrawn in May 2024, prosecutors now allege that Bauchi State officials unlawfully channelled funds to him with the approval of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Court documents further allege that the defendants conducted transactions valued at $9.7 million outside the formal banking system. One of the counts specifically accuses Adamu of receiving $6.95 million in cash, in breach of money laundering laws.
The Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, who is also named in the charge sheet, is reportedly on the run. Prosecutors insist that the defendants were aware that the funds would be used to finance terrorism-related activities.
While granting bail, Justice Umar held that the prosecution failed to establish that the defendants posed a flight risk, noting that bail is a constitutional right where conditions permit.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the case was adjourned for continuation of trial.
