FG links Bauchi governor to alleged $9.7m terrorism financing

The federal government has linked Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to an alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing case involving the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others.
On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Adamu alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed before a Federal High Court in Abuja. They were charged with conspiracy, conversion of public funds and terrorism financing.
The charges were brought under Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial facility in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, pending the hearing of the case scheduled for January 5.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty, counsel to the EFCC, Samuel Chime, requested a trial date to present witnesses and evidence.
Defence counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), applied for bail, noting that the application was filed on December 30 and served on the prosecution. He argued that Adamu’s continued detention had disrupted salary payments for over 60,000 Bauchi State workers.
Chime confirmed receipt of the bail applications and said a joint counter-affidavit had been filed to oppose the request.
The defence explained that all the motions contained similar facts, except that Ilelah, Bose and Mohammed were arrested after voluntarily honouring the EFCC’s invitation.
According to the EFCC, Adamu allegedly conspired with the other defendants between January and May 2024 to provide $2.3 million for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and his associates, based on approvals allegedly granted by Governor Mohammed.
The commission further alleged that $500,000 and $6.9 million were delivered in cash and exchanged through a Bureau De Change operator for Bodejo, in violation of Sections 26(1) and 21(3)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts reads that Yakubu Adamu, in his capacity as Commissioner for Finance, alongside Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State now at large, Samaila Irmiya Liman now at large, and the other defendants, allegedly provided funds amounting to about $2.3 million in cash between January and May 2024. The funds were said to have been released pursuant to approvals granted by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, with reasonable grounds to believe they would be used to finance a terrorist or terrorist group. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 21(1)(a) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Gov Mohammed reacts
Reacting to the development, Governor Mohammed said he was shocked by attempts to link him to terrorism, noting that he enjoys constitutional immunity as a sitting governor and is a leading figure in the opposition.
Speaking on Wednesday in Bauchi after receiving a Safety Ambassador Award from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, the governor expressed anger over the continued detention of his Finance Commissioner by the EFCC, describing the situation as a clear injustice against his administration.
He said he was surprised to learn that his name was mentioned in court proceedings linking him to terrorism, despite his immunity.
Governor Mohammed accused the federal government of using the EFCC to harass and intimidate opposition leaders across the country. He alleged that state institutions, including the courts and anti graft agencies, were being used to target politicians outside the ruling party.
He warned that continued intimidation of opposition figures could provoke serious political consequences.
The governor also criticised the performance of the federal government, alleging that despite large revenues, Bauchi State had not benefited in terms of infrastructure and basic services.
He said he had maintained silence in the interest of peace but would no longer tolerate political persecution. He added that he would not be forced to defect to the ruling party, insisting that his refusal to leave the Peoples Democratic Party should not make him a target.
Governor Mohammed further alleged that members of his family and government officials were being arrested and detained by the EFCC without evidence, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democratic setting.