By SUNTV Global Channel | January 13, 2026
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the reassignment of the terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, to a substantive judge for further hearing.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order on Tuesday, directed that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, explaining that the matter was handled during the court’s vacation period and could no longer proceed under his supervision.
According to the judge, the case qualifies as a vacation matter and must now be reassigned in line with judicial procedures.
“The matter is a vacation case and ought to be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to a substantive judge,” Justice Nwite ruled.
Yakubu Adamu is standing trial alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 31, 2025.
The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on 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.
One of the charges alleges that Adamu, in his capacity as Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, allegedly received $6.95 million in cash outside the banking system in 2024—an act the EFCC said violated provisions of the law.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Earlier, on January 5, 2026, the court denied their bail applications and ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial.
At Tuesday’s sitting, lead defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court that the defence team was ready to proceed with the trial. The EFCC also announced a change in its legal team, presenting Adebayo Ojo as the new prosecuting counsel.
In further clarification, Justice Nwite stated that there was no dispute regarding the status of the case.
“I have listened to the submissions of learned senior counsel for the defendants. It is not in doubt that this is a vacation matter which was returned to the registrar after the vacation for onward transmission to the Chief Judge for substantive reassignment,” he said.
The case file has now been forwarded to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge of the Federal High Court for continuation of proceedings.
— SUNTV Global Channel
