The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again arraigned Yakubu Adamu, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, over allegations of terrorism financing involving millions of dollars.
Adamu was brought before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, alongside three others; Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed. They are facing a 10-count charge filed by the EFCC.
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After the plea, EFCC lawyer Samuel Chime asked the court to fix a trial date so the prosecution could present witnesses and evidence.
However, defence lawyer Gordy Uche told the court that bail applications had already been filed on December 30 and served on the prosecution.
Chime confirmed receiving the bail requests and said the EFCC had filed a joint counter-affidavit opposing them.
While arguing for bail, Uche said the evidence presented by the prosecution did not meet the legal requirements under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He told the court that his clients were not directly linked to terrorism financing.
“My lord, do not be carried away by the nature of the charge. I urge you to give it a liberal view and grant them bail on liberal terms,” Uche said.
He also claimed that Adamu’s detention had disrupted salary payments to about 600,000 workers in Bauchi State.
Opposing the request, Chime urged the court to refuse bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the large sums involved. He added that Adamu is also facing another money laundering case before the same court.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 5 for a ruling on the bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly worked together to release about $2.3m in cash for Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah, and others linked to him, based on approvals allegedly granted by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The commission said the money was allegedly used to support terrorist activities, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC further accused the defendants of hiding the source of Bauchi State government funds by routing them through bureau de change operators and converting them to US dollars for illegal purposes.
Separately, Adamu is also standing trial over an alleged N4.6bn money laundering case linked to transactions carried out when he was a branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi.
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