The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday postponed without a new date the trial of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering.
Justice Mohammed Umar took the decision after informing parties that the prosecution had written to the Chief Judge requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge.
The letter, sent by the prosecuting counsel M.O. Adebayo, raised concerns about the handling of the matter. The Chief Judge has not yet responded.
Following the development, the court ruled that the case could not proceed until a decision is taken on the request for transfer. The judge explained that once such a letter is written, it becomes an administrative issue and it would not be proper for him to continue hearing the case.
He then asked lawyers to take a date, but the prosecution sought an adjournment without a fixed time pending reassignment. Despite objection from the defence, the court adjourned the case indefinitely.
Defence counsel Chris Uche expressed displeasure over the prosecution’s action, stating that the defence was not copied in the letter sent to the Chief Judge.
He argued that such communication should involve all parties to ensure fairness. He also informed the court of plans to write to the Chief Judge to complain about the failure to notify the defence.
During proceedings, the defence further asked the court to release Adamu’s international passport to allow him travel for official duties related to Hajj preparations in Bauchi State.
However, the judge maintained that the matter before him was now administrative due to the pending request for reassignment.
Adamu and three other defendants are facing a 10-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, accuses them of conspiring between January and May 2024 to move large sums of Bauchi State Government funds to persons allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
The charges were brought under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were first arraigned on December 31, 2025 before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as a vacation judge. They pleaded not guilty to all counts. In January 2026, Adamu was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in the same amount.
The court ordered that the sureties must own property in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa in Abuja and provide proof of means. After granting bail, Justice Nwite returned the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
With the latest adjournment, the trial will remain on hold until the Chief Judge decides whether to transfer the case to another judge.