Legal Proceedings Against Bauchi Finance Commissioner Adjourned Indefinitely

A High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned indefinitely the trial of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, who is facing allegations of terror financing brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The adjournment follows a development in which the anti-corruption agency reportedly filed a petition seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.

Petition for Transfer

Sources familiar with the proceedings say the EFCC submitted a petition to the Chief Judge after the court granted bail to Mr Adamu.

According to those sources, the prosecution raised concerns following the bail ruling and subsequently requested that the matter be reassigned.

However, no official statement has been issued by the EFCC outlining the specific grounds for the petition.

A member of the defence team, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, argued that if the prosecution had reservations about the presiding judge, the conventional legal step would have been to file a formal application for recusal before the same court.

“In such circumstances, the appropriate procedure is to bring an application asking the judge to step aside if there are valid grounds,” the source said. “Petitioning the Chief Judge directly is not the usual course.”

Administrative Review Ongoing

Judicial sources indicate that the Chief Judge has not yet issued a formal directive on whether the case will be reassigned.

Legal observers suggest that the lack of clarity over the petition may have contributed to the court’s decision to adjourn proceedings indefinitely, pending administrative guidance.

Mr Adamu was earlier granted bail on terms set by the court. The defence has maintained that those terms were consistent with constitutional provisions.

Defence Reacts

The commissioner’s legal team says he denies the allegations and intends to contest them fully in court.

“We have confidence in the judicial process and believe that due process will be followed,” a member of the defence team said.

Public Attention

The case has attracted attention in Bauchi State and beyond, given Mr Adamu’s position in the state government.

While political reactions have begun to emerge in some quarters, legal analysts caution that the matter remains before the court and that all parties are entitled to due process.

The EFCC has yet to make a detailed public statement on the petition or indicate its next steps.

Further developments are expected once the administrative issues surrounding the case are resolved.