Alleged $9.7 Million Terrorism Financing Case: EFCC Files New Charges Against Adamu and Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has instituted a fresh set of criminal charges against Yakubu Adamu, who currently serves as the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, alongside several other individuals, over allegations connected to terrorism financing amounting to 9.7 million United States dollars.

According to court filings submitted on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency accused Adamu and three other defendants of involvement in financial transactions allegedly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. Those listed as co-defendants include Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, identified as the second to fourth defendants in the matter.

The defendants are expected to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, where they will be formally arraigned on ten separate counts related to the alleged offence. The court scheduled the arraignment for Wednesday, following procedural developments during earlier proceedings.

During a previous court session, counsel to the EFCC, Samuel Chime, had requested that the accused persons be allowed to immediately enter their pleas while a related matter was being heard. However, Justice Nwite declined the request and instead fixed a new date, explaining that the updated charge document had not yet been properly included in the court’s official records at the time.

The charge, identified with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, was dated and filed on December 30, according to court documentation. The judge noted that the absence of the charge in the case file made it procedurally impossible to proceed with arraignment on the earlier date.

Details contained in count one of the charge allege that the accused individuals, along with others currently declared at large, committed the offence between January 2024 and May 2024. Those named but not currently in custody include Sirajo Jaja, who was reportedly serving as the Accountant-General of Bauchi State at the time, and Samaila Irmiya Liman, both of whom remain unavailable for prosecution.

The EFCC alleged that all the named individuals were civil servants and authorized signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts or payment instruments. The commission further claimed that the defendants collectively conspired to provide cash funds totaling 2.3 million U.S. dollars to Bello Bodejo and other persons allegedly associated with him.

According to the prosecution, the financial transactions were carried out based on approvals reportedly granted by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. The funds, the EFCC alleged, were subsequently utilized either wholly or partially to support the activities of a terrorist group or individual linked to terrorism.

The alleged offence, as stated in the charge sheet, is said to contravene Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the same legislation. The court is expected to formally read the charges to the defendants when proceedings resume.

Legal observers are closely watching the case due to its implications for public finance management, counter-terrorism enforcement, and accountability within government institutions. Further developments are anticipated following the scheduled arraignment.