THE Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a bail application filed by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three other defendants standing trial over alleged terrorism financing amounting to $9.7 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered today, held that the offences alleged against the defendants pose a grave threat to national security and public safety.
The judge noted that terrorism-related crimes undermine social stability and that granting bail at the pre-trial stage could expose the public to danger.
On that basis, the court refused the bail application but ordered an accelerated hearing of the case in the interest of justice.
Justice Nwite, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Bamaiyi v. State (2001), stated that courts must consider the nature of the offence, the strength of the evidence presented, and the severity of the punishment that may follow a conviction when determining bail applications.
According to the judge, a careful review of the affidavit evidence, proof of evidence, and statements of key prosecution witnesses — including Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni — revealed a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the defendants. He added that pre-trial release in terrorism-related cases could endanger public safety.
“In view of the serious threat this case poses to national security and social order, the interest of justice will be best served by an accelerated hearing,” the judge ruled, adjourning the matter to January 13 for the commencement of trial.
Adamu and his co-defendants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — were arraigned on December 31, 2025, on a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the determination of their bail applications.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, filed on December 30, 2025, by EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants conspired to provide cash funds totalling $2.3 million for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons linked to him, based on approvals purportedly granted by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The funds were alleged to have been used, wholly or partly, to finance a terrorist group.
They were also accused of facilitating the delivery of an additional $500,000 in cash to the same individuals for terrorism-related purposes.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bello Bodejo is identified as the president of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group.