THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, seeking the disqualification of Justice Mohammed Umar from presiding over a high-profile alleged terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.
News Point Nigeria reports that in a petition addressed to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, the anti-graft agency expressed loss of confidence in Justice Umar’s ability to conduct the proceedings objectively and requested that the charge be reassigned to another judge.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, is pending before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi State, was arraigned on December 31, 2025, alongside three civil servants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The ten-count charge borders on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conducted financial transactions amounting to approximately $9.7 million without recourse to any financial institution.
The prosecution further alleged that between January and May 2024, Adamu, working with the Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, Samaila Irmiya Liman, and the co-defendants who were signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts handed over $2.3 million in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons linked to him.
Bodejo, identified as the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, was previously arrested by the federal government on allegations of terrorism.
He was apprehended in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State shortly after unveiling a vigilante group. The Federal Government had accused him of establishing an ethnic militia and providing material support and assistance for activities allegedly connected to terrorism.
However, the charge against him was withdrawn in May 2024 before his arraignment.
Central to the EFCC’s petition is Justice Umar’s decision to grant bail to the defendants.
The anti-graft agency noted that the defendants were granted bail despite what it described as the gravity of the allegations and a counter-affidavit urging the court to deny bail.
It also pointed out that the defendants had earlier been denied bail by Justice Emeka Nwite, who initially handled the case during the court’s vacation period and ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre on January 5.
Following reassignment of the case, Justice Umar on January 21 admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The court further ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports, refrain from travelling without judicial approval, and report every Monday to the Bauchi office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Umar dismissed the EFCC’s contention that the defendants posed a flight risk.
When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, Justice Umar announced his decision to temporarily step aside from the case pending the determination of the EFCC’s petition by the Chief Judge.
Despite efforts by defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to persuade the court to proceed with the trial, Justice Umar declined, stating that his decision was in the interest of justice and institutional integrity.
He subsequently adjourned the case sine die, pending further directives.
In the substantive charge, the EFCC alleged that the funds were released to Bodejo and his associates with the approval of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, an allegation that adds political weight to the unfolding legal battle.