By Suleiman Anyalewechi
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application filed by Yakubu Adamu ,the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance seeking the its leave to travel to Saudi Arabia on a holy pilgrimage.
The Source reports that Adamu ,Bello Bodejo the leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and two others are currently facing prosecuted by the Federal Government on charges bordering on alleged terrorism financing and related Offences to the tune of over $ 9.7 million.
Similarly, Adamu a former
banker, to others also facing charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC over alleged conversion, transfer concealment ,and use of public funds to the tune of over N4.6 billion, said to be for the procurement of motorcycles for the Bauchi State Government.
While granting Adamu and co-defendants bail on January 2, 2026, Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite had ordered among other things that they deposit their international passports and other travel documents with the Court .
Justice Nwite in his ruling on Monday March 9, 2026, held that Adamu could not adduce sufficient materials before the court to warrant being granted the leave to travel outside the country.
The trial Judge, also, agreed with the objection raised by the EFCC’ to the effect that Adamu’s affidavit attached to the application was defective , having not been signed by the applicant himself.
The Judge held that an unsigned document does not have any probative value in law ,hence the document failed to. meet the minimum legal procedure required in the present circumstance.
Justice Nwite noted that much as he is aware of the fundamental rights of the applicant as guaranteed in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution ,such rights are not absolute.
According to Justice Nwite, the case of Ibori cited by the applicant, can not be applicable in the present situation, because Ibori’s case was hinged on medical grounds.
Adamu had in his application sought an order of the court to allow him travel to the Holy Land to observe Muslim pilgrimage.
He equally prayed the Court for an order directing the release of his international passport and other travel documents for the purpose of the said pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In an affidavit to support the application deposed to b6 Emmanuel Tsebo ,a litigation Secretary in the Law Firm of Chris Uche SAN and Co, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance noted that he was arraigned on charges bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds ,and consequently admitted to bail by the court, with the court ordering him to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.
He, however, informed the court that he has an urgent need to embark on a pilgrimage to mecca , Saudi Arabia , promising to be back in Nigeria on March 21, 2026.
While emphasizing the importance of the pilgrimage in the life of a Muslim ,Adamu pledged to return the travel documents to the court on or before March 22 ,2026, as well as personally attend court proceedings.
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