Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declined a bail application filed by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others facing trial over alleged terrorism financing amounting to $9.7 million.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the offences alleged against the defendants posed a grave threat to national security and public safety. He said terrorism-related charges undermine social order and that granting bail at the pre-trial stage could endanger the public, stressing that the court must prioritise the interest of society.
The judge, however, ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
Relying on the Supreme Court decision in Bamaiyi v. State (2001), Justice Nwite said the court must consider the nature of the offence, the evidence in support of it, and the severity of the punishment upon conviction when determining bail applications.
“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence available before me at this point in time. I have also considered the proof of evidence, especially the statement of Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni and other prosecution witnesses, together with the grave threat to national security and public safety this case poses,” the judge said.
He added that terrorism-related offences threaten social order and that pre-trial release could endanger the public, noting that the prosecution had raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility against the defendants.
“In view of the foregoing, I am of the humble view, and I so hold, that the interest of justice will be met by giving the matter an accelerated hearing. Consequently, the application is hereby refused,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The case was adjourned until January 13 for the commencement of trial.
Adamu and his co-defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following their arraignment on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Alongside Adamu, the other defendants are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
According to the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the defendants allegedly conspired to provide funds totalling $2.3 million in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals allegedly granted by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. The funds were said to have been used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist group.
The alleged offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under relevant sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were also accused of being involved in an arrangement that allegedly resulted in the delivery of about $500,000 in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons linked to him for the purpose of terrorism and for the benefit of a proscribed group.
Bello Bodejo is identified in the charge as the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
