Justice Mohammed Umar, who took over the case file, ordered each defendant to deposit ₦100million and produce two sureties — one must be a serving permanent secretary, the other a serving director in the civil service.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three civil servants accused of complicity in terrorism financing involving ₦400million.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who took over the case file, ordered each defendant to deposit ₦100million and produce two sureties — one must be a serving permanent secretary, the other a serving director in the civil service.
The defendants were also directed to surrender their international passports, remain in Nigeria, and report weekly to the Bauchi office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The ruling marks a sharp departure from an earlier decision by Justice Emeka Nwite, who in June 2025 rejected their bail application, citing national security concerns.
Justice Nwite had warned that terrorism-related offences posed a threat to social order and that releasing the accused could endanger the public.
Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, was arraigned on December 31, 2025 alongside civil servants Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
They face a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Nigerian government alleged that between January and May 2024, Adamu and his co-defendants — acting as signatories to Bauchi State government accounts — handed over $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and his associates.
Bodejo was previously arrested after unveiling a vigilante group in Nasarawa State and accused of establishing an ethnic militia.
Though charges against him were withdrawn in May 2024, prosecutors now claim Bauchi officials illegally funneled funds to him with the approval of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Court filings allege that the defendants conducted transactions worth $9.7 million outside the banking system.
One count specifically accuses Adamu of receiving $6.95 million in cash in violation of money laundering laws.
The Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, named in the charge sheet, is reportedly on the run. Prosecutors insist the defendants knew the funds would be used to finance terrorism.
Despite pleading not guilty, the accused begged the court for bail, which Justice Umar granted, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove they posed a flight risk.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, has been adjourned to March 26, 2026 for hearing.