Justice Emeka Nwite explained on Tuesday that the matter was a vacation case and could no longer be handled by him. “This is a vacation matter which ought to be reassigned to a substantive judge to handle,” he said
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the trial of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to a substantive judge.
Justice Emeka Nwite explained on Tuesday that the matter was a vacation case and could no longer be handled by him. “This is a vacation matter which ought to be reassigned to a substantive judge to handle,” he said.
Adamu is standing trial alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 31, 2025.
The defendants face a 10-count charge of alleged terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. One count alleges that Adamu received $6.95 million in cash outside the banking system in 2024, an offence the EFCC says violates the law.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. On January 5, the court refused their bail applications and ordered they remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
At Tuesday’s hearing, defence counsel Chief Chris Uche (SAN) said they were ready to proceed with the trial, while the EFCC introduced Adebayo Ojo as the new lawyer handling the prosecution.
Justice Nwite said he had reviewed the defence submissions and found no dispute over the case’s status. “It is not in doubt that this is a vacation matter which was returned to the registrar after the vacation for onward return to the Chief Judge for reassignment,” he noted.
The file has now been forwarded to the Chief Judge for assignment to another Federal High Court judge to continue the proceedings.
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