…arraigns state Commissioner for finance, three others in Abuja court
. Gov expresses shock, accuses FG of witch-hunting opposition with EFCC
The Federal Government has fingered Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in a $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, along with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of conspiracy, conversion of public funds and terrorism financing.
The charges were based on Section 2(1) and Section 19(1)(d), punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial facility in Kuje, FCT, pending the hearing of the case on January 5.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty, EFCC’s counsel, Samuel Chime, requested a trial date to present witnesses and evidence.
Defence lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), applied for bail, noting that the application was filed on December 30, and served on the prosecution.
Uche argued that Adamu’s continued detention had disrupted salary payments for over 60,000 Bauchi State workers.
Chime acknowledged receipt of the bail applications, stating that a joint counter-affidavit was filed opposing the request.
The defence clarified that all facts in the motions were the same, except that Ilelah, Bose and Mohammed were arrested after voluntarily honouring the EFCC’s invitation.
Daily Trust reports that Adamu was alleged to have conspired with the other defendants between January and May, 2024, to provide $2.3m for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and associates under approvals granted by Governor Mohammed.
The EFCC further alleged that $500,000 and $6.9m were delivered in cash, exchanged via a BDC operator, to Bodejo, contrary to Sections 26(1) and 21(3)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts of the terrorism charges reads: “That you, Yakubu Adamu (being Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi State Government), Sirajo Jaja (being Accountant-General of Bauchi State-now at large), Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large), Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts and/or payment instruments), sometime between January, 2024 and May, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did directly and willingly provide funds in the aggregate sum of about two million, three hundred thousand United States Dollars (USD 2,300,000.00) in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, having reasonable grounds to believe, that the said funds would be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(1)(a) and punishable under Section 21 (2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
I was shocked over FG’s accusation – Gov Mohammed
Governor Mohammed expressed shock over what he described as attempts to link him to terrorism despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor and serving as a leading figure in the opposition.
Mohammed, who was angered by the ongoing ordeal of his Finance Commissioner, Yakubu Adamu, in the custody of the EFCC, said the situation amounted to a clear injustice against him and his administration.
He spoke on Wednesday in Bauchi after receiving a Safety Ambassador Award from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).
He said, “I am just waking up to an accusation that I am being linked to terrorism as a governor and as the head of the opposition. My commissioner has been kept incarcerated and has not been released by the EFCC. Even with my immunity as a governor, my name was mentioned in a motion in a court of law in Nigeria. God is wonderful.”
Mohammed accused the federal government of allegedly using the EFCC to harass and intimidate opposition leaders nationwide, claiming that state institutions, including the courts and anti-graft agencies, were being abused to target those outside the ruling party.
He said, “The APC-led federal government thinks it can use the courts and the EFCC to pursue Nigerians who are not in their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war.”
The governor also criticised the federal government’s performance, alleging that despite huge revenues, little had been done in Bauchi in terms of infrastructure and basic services.
He said he had remained silent for the sake of peace but would no longer tolerate intimidation and political persecution, vowing not to be coerced into joining the ruling party, insisting that his refusal to defect from the PDP should not make him a target.
He 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 democracy.
(Source: Daily Trust with modified headline and riders)
