By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 26, forced a Federal High Court Abuja Division, presided over by Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar, to hands-off a case and adjourn it indefinitely.
Justice Umar was handling the case on the alleged terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7 million. preferred against the Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu , Miyetti Allah Leader Bello Bodejo,and two others ,by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
This development followed a petition by the EFCC lodged with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, against Justice Umar by the anti-graft Commission.
The EFCC in the petition sought the disqualification of Justice Umar from further handling the alleged terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State officials on the grounds that it longer reposed confidence in his ability to guarantee fairness and justice the handling of the matter.
The Source reports that Justice Umar had, on January 21, 2026, granted bail to the Bauchi Finance Commissioner and three of his co-defendants including Badejo to the tune of N100 million each after they were initially denied bail on January 5,2026 by vacation Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.
The granting of bail to the defendants, however, came amidst strident opposition from the EFCC which had contended that the defendants posed a great risk to public safety and national interest.
The EFCC, in its petition to the Chief Judge noted that its trust and confidence in Justice Uma became shaky immediately after he granted bail to the defendants despite the weight and gravity of the allegations against them, as well as the strength of the counter-affidavit against their bail application.
The anti-graft Commission expressed serious regret that Justice Umar’s action came after a previous Judge (Justice Emeka Nwite) had denied the accused bail.
The EFCC in the petition asked the Chief Judge to either reassign the matter to another Judge or in the alternative, have Justice Umar recuse himself.
During the resumed hearing on the case on Thursday, Justice Umar announced his decision to temporarily step down pending the final decision of the Chief Judge on the EFCC’s petition.
His decision to also adjourn proceedings sine die was amidst spirited efforts by the defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to persuade him to go ahead with the business of the day.
Justice Umar, however, maintained that it will be in the best interest of justice for him to step aside temporarily.
The Source further reports that the EFCC had, on December 31, 2025, arraigned the defendants on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, unlawful conversation of public funds, and terrorism financing involving over $9.7 million.
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