The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has petitioned the chief judge of the federal high court, John Tsoho, seeking the disqualification of Justice Mohammed Umar from presiding over an alleged terrorism financing case.
In its petition, the anti-graft agency said it no longer had confidence in Justice Umar’s ability to handle the matter objectively and requested that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, be reassigned.
The charge is pending against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others over allegations bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing.
Details of the Charge
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 said to be civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants undertook transactions valued at about $9.7 million without recourse to any financial institution, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Specifically, the commission told the court that between January and May 2024, the defendants allegedly handed over $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.
Bodejo, who is president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, had previously been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offences before the charge was withdrawn in May 2024.
Bail Controversy
The EFCC, in its petition, faulted Justice Umar’s decision to grant bail to the defendants, despite what it described as the weight of evidence against them and a counter-affidavit opposing bail.
The commission noted that the defendants were earlier denied bail by Justice Emeka Nwite, who ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre during the court’s vacation period.
However, following the reassignment of the case, Justice Umar, on January 21, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100 million each with two sureties in like sum.
He also ordered them to surrender their international passports and report weekly to the Bauchi office of the Department of State Services.
When the matter came up in court on Thursday, Justice Umar announced his decision to step aside temporarily pending the Chief Judge’s decision on the EFCC’s petition.
Despite objections from defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), the judge adjourned the matter sine die (indefinitely), describing the move as being in the interest of justice.
Allegations Against Defendants
The EFCC further alleged that the funds were handed to Bodejo and his associates with the approval of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and that the defendants had reasonable grounds to believe the money would be used to finance terrorist activities.
Some individuals linked to the case, including the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, are reportedly at large.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintain their innocence as investigations and legal proceedings continue.