By Suleiman Anyalewechi
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday January 5, 2025, declined to grant the bail application filed by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance Yakubu Adamu and others.
Adamu, Bello Bodejo the leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and others are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, on multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering and terrorism financing to the tune of $ 9.7. million.
The Presiding Judge , Justice Emeka Nwike , while ruling on the bail application held that the allegations leveled against the defendants are such that have grave implications for the country’s national security,and that granting bail under the circumstances could endanger the public ,as well as threaten social order.
The Judge however in the alternative directed for an accelerated hearing of the case ,in order to equally protect the fundamental rights of the defendants.
” I am not unmindful of the constitutional provision of Section 36(5) which provides that every person who is charged with criminal offence shall be presumed.innocent until proven guilty.
” But, I must not hesitate to state that the said constitutional provision is not absolutely right.
“In the consideration of the bail application, all factors have to be considered” Justice Nwite held.”
To buttress his position,the trial judge cited the case involving Bamaiyi and the State in which the Supreme Court held inter alia” it is proper to consider the nature of the offence ,the nature of the evidence in support of it ,and the severity of the punishment.which conviction will entail.”
Justice Nwite further held that the court as a matter of duty ,must take into consideration every details when considering matters relating to the security of the country and its citizens.
” I cannot say more than this erudite jurist ( Supreme Court Judge) . Our criminal justice system has its stipulations ,and safeguards for the prosecutor ,the accused and the victim.
“In the proper operation of that system ,it can be said that it is in the interest of the society ,and with those safeguards that if an application for bail.pending trial ,there is a good reason to believe or strongly agreed that the accused will not jump bail there y making himself available to stand his trial/or will not interfere with witnesses thereby constituting an obstacle in the way of justice ,the court will be acting within the undoubted discretion to grant bail.
“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence available before me in this point in time . And I have also considered the proof of evidence , especially the statement of Dan Abdulmumini ,and other prosecution witnesses , together with grave threat to national security and public safety this case poses.
“And I have also taken cognisance that terrorism related Offences threaten social order ,and pre-trial release could endanger the public.
” In my view ,the prosecution/respondent has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal.responsibilty on the part of the applicants .( Adamu ,and others).
” In view of the foregoing ,I am of the humble view ,and I so hold that the interest of justice will be met by giving the matter accelerated hearing.
“Consequently ,the application is hereby refused” Justice Nwite ruled.
It will be recalled that the EFCC’ had on December 30,2025 filed a ten-count charge of money laundering and terrorism financing against Adamu ,and others with the Judge scheduling Monday January 5 ,2026 for ruling on the defendants bail application.
The defendants are being accused to have severally and collectively engaged in money laundering activities and the financing of terrorism activities while maintaining their various positions in the Bauchi State civil service.
They were alleged to have committed the offences between January 2024 and May, 2024.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them at the court.
The Source further reports that Adamu and others were last week, Tuesday, granted bail by Justice Nwite in another case of alleged money laundering and contract splitting to the tune of N5.7 billion.
However, the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammad, has accused the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of orchestrating the trials in a bid to intimidate him into joining the All Progressive Congress APC .
