Fresh legal drama has emerged at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) formally requested the reassignment of a terrorism-financing case currently before Justice Mohammed Umar.
In a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, the anti-graft agency argued that it no longer had confidence in the court’s handling of the matter and asked that the trial be transferred to another judge. The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, involves allegations linked to financial transactions suspected to support unlawful activities.
Background of the Charges
The prosecution concerns Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance and a former bank manager, alongside three civil servants accused of conspiracy, unlawful cash handling, and alleged terrorism financing.
Investigators claim the defendants conducted multi-million-dollar transactions outside formal banking channels. According to the EFCC’s case, large cash movements allegedly occurred within a five-month period in 2024, raising suspicion that the funds could have been diverted toward activities connected with security threats.
Among the individuals referenced in the investigation is Bello Bodejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, who had earlier faced separate terrorism-related allegations before those charges were withdrawn.
EFCC Raises Concerns Over Bail Decision
Central to the commission’s petition is disagreement over bail granted to the accused persons. The EFCC noted that the defendants had previously been denied bail by another judge who initially handled the matter and ordered their detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Following reassignment of the case, Justice Umar approved bail conditions that included:
- A ₦100 million bond for each defendant
- Two sureties of equal financial value
- Surrender of international passports
- Weekly reporting obligations to security authorities
- Restrictions on international travel without court permission
The judge rejected the prosecution’s argument that the defendants were likely to abscond, a decision the EFCC cited as one of the factors informing its loss of confidence.
Court Pauses Proceedings Pending Administrative Decision
When the case resumed in court, Justice Umar announced he would temporarily withdraw from further proceedings while awaiting guidance from the Chief Judge regarding the EFCC’s petition.
Despite objections from defence counsel seeking continuation of the trial, the judge maintained that suspending proceedings was necessary to preserve fairness and judicial integrity. The matter was subsequently adjourned indefinitely.
All defendants have maintained their innocence and earlier entered not-guilty pleas, insisting they will contest the allegations during trial.
Commentary & Analysis
The EFCC’s move to seek disqualification of a presiding judge highlights the delicate balance between prosecutorial confidence and judicial independence. While litigants have the right to raise concerns about impartiality, such requests remain sensitive because they directly touch on the credibility of the judiciary.
Legal analysts observe that disputes over bail decisions frequently trigger tension between investigative agencies and courts. Prosecutors often prioritise detention to prevent interference with investigations, whereas courts must weigh constitutional rights such as presumption of innocence and personal liberty.
The judge’s decision to step aside temporarily reflects an effort to avoid perceptions of bias while administrative authorities review the petition. Regardless of the eventual outcome, the development underscores the complexity of terrorism-related prosecutions, where national security considerations intersect with due process protections.
As Nigeria continues strengthening legal frameworks against terrorism financing, cases like this may increasingly test institutional cooperation among courts, prosecutors, and security agencies.
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