The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned indefinitely the alleged terrorism-financing case against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered the adjournment after informing the court that the prosecution, led by M.O. Adebayo, had written to the Chief Judge expressing discomfort with the handling of the matter and requesting that the case be transferred.
The judge said the Chief Judge had yet to respond to the letter.
Defence counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), expressed shock at the development, arguing that any communication to the Chief Judge or presiding judge ought to have been copied to the defence for input.
He described the development as “unfair”, adding that the right of the defence had been taken away by the failure of the prosecution to copy it on the letter.
The senior advocate also urged the court to release the passport of the first defendant to enable him travel, stating that Adamu was part of a high-powered delegation overseeing Hajj preparations in the state.
In response, Justice Umar noted that the issue was administrative rather than judicial, adding that he was not expected to continue hearing the matter in view of the letter to the Chief Judge. He subsequently urged counsel to take a date.
Uche told the court that he would also write to the Chief Judge to protest the prosecution’s failure to notify the defence, arguing that such moves “will not do the administration of justice any good.”
While the prosecution asked that the matter be adjourned sine die pending reassignment to another judge, the defence objected, contending that without a definite date the case would “die”.
Justice Umar, however, adjourned the matter sine die pending the decision of the Chief Judge.
Adamu and three others are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and money laundering in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025 filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The prosecution alleged that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to channel millions of dollars in Bauchi State Government funds to individuals allegedly linked to terrorist elements.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were initially arraigned on December 31, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat asa vacation judge, and pleaded not guilty.
Adamu was subsequently granted bail in January 2026 in the sum of N500m with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Nwite held that the sureties must own landed property within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, subject to verification by the court registry, and must depose to an affidavit of means before the case file was returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
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