In a bold move challenging judicial neutrality, the EFCC is seeking to strip Justice Mohammed Umar of his authority over an ongoing terrorism financing suit.
The commission’s petition to the Chief Judge explicitly states it no longer trusts the Abuja-based judge to deliver an unbiased verdict.
At the centre of the dispute is the trial of Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State’s Finance Commissioner, whose alleged role in financing insurgency remains one of the commission’s most sensitive active cases.
Adamu, who is a former manager of a branch of Polaris Bank Plc in Bauchi State, was on December 31, 2025, arraigned on a ten-count charge, alongside three of his alleged accomplices who were identified as civil servants—Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The charge against the defendants bordered on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing, contrary to Section 2(1) and Section 19(1)(d) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the EFCC, the defendants, without recourse to any financial institution, undertook transactions valued at about $9.7 million.
It was alleged that sometime between January 2024 and May 2024, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Adamu, working in cahoots with the Accountant-General of the state, Sirajo Jaja, one Samaila Irmiya Liman, and the other three defendants—who were signatories to the Bauchi State Government accounts—gave $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.
Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, was previously arrested and charged with three counts of terrorism by the federal government.
He was arrested at the Miyetti Allah’s office in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State shortly after he unveiled a vigilante group.
FG had alleged that he established an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State, adding that he was involved in the management of activities connected with acts that were prejudicial to national security and public safety.
It told the court that Bodejo provided material support, assistance and transportation for activities connected with acts of terrorism, contrary to Sections 29, 2(3)(g)(xii) and 12(a) and Section 2(3)(g)(xii) and 13(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charge was, however, withdrawn in May 2024 before the defendant, who was initially detained, could be arraigned before the court.
The EFCC, in its petition to the CJ, noted that Justice Umar granted bail to the Bauchi commissioner and his co-defendants, despite the weight of the allegations against them and a counter‑affidavit giving reasons why they should remain in detention.
The defendants had previously been denied bail by the court before the case file was transferred to Justice Umar.
Meanwhile, when the case came up up for hearing on Thursday, the trial judge announced his resolve to temporarily step aside from the matter to await the decision of the CJ on EFCC’s petition against him.
Despite efforts by counsel for the defendant, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to persuade the court to proceed with the case as scheduled, Justice Umar declined, saying his decision was in the best interest of justice.
He subsequently adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely).
Justice Emeka Nwite, who initially handled the case, had on January 5, during the court’s vacation period, denied the defendants bail.
He ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje prison.
On January 21, Justice Umar granted bail to the embattled defendants at ₦100 million each, dismissing the EFCC’s concerns that they might flee.
Under the court’s terms, the accused must remain in Nigeria, forfeit their travel documents, and check in weekly with the Bauchi DSS.
The charges against them are severe – the EFCC alleges they funneled state-approved funds to terrorist-linked groups under the direction of the Bauchi State Governor.
Though the defendants maintained their innocence in open court, the prosecution highlighted the gravity of the conspiracy, noting that the State Accountant-General and other accomplices have already fled to evade arrest.
Author
Leave a comment