Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign a terrorism financing case, saying it has lost confidence in the trial judge’s ability to handle the matter objectively.
In a petition addressed to Chief Judge John Tsoho, the anti-corruption agency sought the disqualification of Justice Mohammed Umar from presiding over the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025.
The charge involves Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance Yakubu Adamu and three civil servants – Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed – who were arraigned on Dec. 31, 2025 on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, conversion of public funds and alleged terrorism financing.
The offences are brought under provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants conducted transactions amounting to about $9.7 million outside the formal banking system. It said that between January and May 2024, Adamu and other officials, including Bauchi State’s Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja and one Samaila Irmiya Liman, allegedly delivered $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and his associates.
Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, was previously arrested and charged with terrorism-related offences by the federal government, although those charges were withdrawn in May 2024 before he was arraigned.
Prosecutors allege the funds were provided despite reasonable grounds to believe they could be used to finance terrorism.
The EFCC said Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants despite what it described as the seriousness of the allegations and after another judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had earlier denied bail and ordered their remand in January.
Following reassignment of the case, Justice Umar granted each defendant bail of 100 million naira ($…) with two sureties, ordered them to surrender their passports, restricted foreign travel and directed them to report weekly to the Department of State Services in Bauchi.
When the case came up on Thursday, Justice Umar said he would temporarily step aside pending a decision by the Chief Judge on the EFCC’s petition. He adjourned proceedings indefinitely.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC also said some suspects, including the Bauchi State Accountant-General, remain at large.
