Courtroom Shake-Up: EFCC Seeks Judge’s Removal In Terrorism Trial

In its petition, the anti-graft agency stated that it had lost confidence in Justice Umar’s ability to handle the case impartially, requesting that the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, be reassigned.

The case involves the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others, who are accused of terrorism financing.

Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank Plc in Bauchi State, was arraigned on December 31, 2025, alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, all civil servants.

The defendants face a 10-count charge including conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants conducted cash transactions totaling approximately $9.7 million outside of any financial institution. Between January and May 2024, Adamu, in collaboration with the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, Samaila Irmiya Liman, and the other defendants, allegedly handed $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and associates.

Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, had previously been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offences for allegedly establishing an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State, though the charge was later withdrawn in May 2024 before arraignment.

The EFCC maintained that the defendants had reason to believe the funds would be used to finance terrorist activities and noted that some suspects, including the Bauchi State Accountant-General, are still at large.

In its petition, the EFCC highlighted that Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants despite the gravity of the allegations and a counter-affidavit urging continued detention. Previously, Justice Emeka Nwite, who initially handled the case, had denied bail and ordered the defendants remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre on January 5.

After the case was reassigned, Justice Umar admitted the defendants to bail on January 21, setting N100 million each with two sureties of the same amount. The court also ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports, barred them from travelling without permission, and directed weekly reporting to the Bauchi office of the Department of State Services. Justice Umar dismissed the EFCC’s claim that the defendants were a flight risk.

When the matter resumed on Thursday, Justice Umar temporarily stepped aside to await the Chief Judge’s decision on the EFCC’s petition. Despite efforts by defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), to continue the trial, the judge declined, citing that the move was “in the interest of justice,” and subsequently adjourned the case sine die.

The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty and requested bail pending the determination of the case.