Federal High Court in Abuja slams EFCC for delays, orders production of Bauchi Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu for arraignment on six counts of N4.6bn money laundering on December 30, 2025
Court Slams EFCC, Orders Commission to Produce Bauchi Finance Commissioner for N4.6bn Laundering Arraignment on Dec 30
The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, for arraignment on six counts of alleged N4.6 billion money laundering on December 30, 2025.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Wednesday after the EFCC, for the second consecutive time, failed to present the defendant—a former Branch Manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi—for plea. The charges were filed against Mr. Adamu and Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd on December 19.
The matter was initially scheduled for Tuesday but could not proceed due to the absence of both the EFCC and the defendants, despite defence counsel being present. It was adjourned to Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Samuel Chime apologised for the prosecution’s absence the previous day and explained that the commission plans to amend the charge to include additional suspects who had indicated willingness to honour invitations. He sought an extension of the remand order to enable a joint arraignment of all defendants on December 30.
Lead defence counsel Gordy Uche (SAN) vehemently opposed the request, accusing the prosecution of bad faith. “There is already a charge before the court against the defendant which he can take a plea on,” he argued.
Mr. Uche pointed out that the EFCC had filed a response to the bail application without mentioning ongoing investigations or additional suspects. He also highlighted the severe impact of the commissioner’s continued detention, stating that “since his detention, more than 60,000 workers have not been paid” in Bauchi State.
The senior lawyer urged the court to stand the matter down and compel the production of Mr. Adamu.
In response, EFCC’s Mr. Chime maintained that the investigation was concluded and the commission only desired a uniform arraignment.
Visibly displeased, Justice Nwite criticised the EFCC’s conduct, questioning why charges were filed without readiness to proceed. He described the commission’s actions as “unfair, unprofessional, and uncalled for,” warning that failure to produce the defendant at the next sitting would attract sanctions.
“Go and tell your chairman,” the judge sternly told the prosecution.
The court then fixed December 30 for the arraignment.
According to the EFCC, Mr. Adamu, while serving as Polaris Bank’s Bauchi branch manager, allegedly conspired with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu (MD of Makayye Investment Resources Ltd) and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri—both said to be at large—to launder approximately N4.65 billion between June and December 2023.
The funds were purportedly provided as financing for motorcycle supply to the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises, but no motorcycles were delivered.
Another count alleges retention and transfer of proceeds of unlawful activity through nominees and third parties, including the transfer of N165.9 million to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd.
The alleged offences contravene the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
