The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to produce the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, for arraignment on December 30 over an alleged ₦4.6 billion money laundering scheme. The order followed the EFCC’s repeated failure to present the defendant in court, drawing sharp criticism from the presiding judge.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive on Wednesday after the commission failed, for the second time, to bring Adamu before the court for plea-taking. The judge warned that the prosecuting counsel would face sanctions if the defendant is not produced on the next adjourned date.
Adamu and Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd are listed as the first and second defendants in a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025. According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred between June and December 2023.
The anti-graft agency accused Adamu, while serving as Branch Manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, of conspiring with two individuals said to be at large to launder about ₦4.65 billion. Prosecutors alleged the funds were released by Polaris Bank under the pretext of financing the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government. The motorcycles were allegedly never delivered.
Further counts allege that proceeds of the suspected fraud were retained and transferred through third parties and nominee companies, including a transfer of ₦165.9 million to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd. The offences are said to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The case stalled on Tuesday due to the absence of both the prosecution and the defendants. When proceedings resumed on Wednesday, EFCC counsel Samuel Chime sought another adjournment, saying the commission planned to amend the charge to include additional suspects.
Defence counsel, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), strongly opposed the request, insisting the case was ripe for arraignment. He argued that investigations were already concluded and warned that Adamu’s continued detention was crippling Bauchi State’s finances.
Justice Nwite rejected the EFCC’s explanation, describing its conduct as unfair and unprofessional. He ordered the commission to proceed with arraignment on December 30, warning that failure to comply would attract severe consequences.
