₦airaland Forum

The federal government has fingered Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in a $9.7 million terrorism financing case involving the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others.

On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Adamu, along with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of conspiracy, conversion of public funds and terrorism financing.

The charges were based on Section 2(1) and Section 19(1)(d), punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial facility in Kuje, FCT, pending the hearing of the case on January 5.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty, EFCC’s counsel, Samuel Chime, requested a trial date to present witnesses and evidence.

Defence lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), applied for bail, noting that the application was filed on December 30, and served on the prosecution.

Uche argued that Adamu’s continued detention had disrupted salary payments for over 60,000 Bauchi State workers.

Chime acknowledged receipt of the bail applications, stating that a joint counter-affidavit was filed opposing the request.

The defence clarified that all facts in the motions were the same, except that Ilelah, Bose and Mohammed were arrested after voluntarily honouring the EFCC’s invitation.

Daily Trust reports that Adamu was alleged to have conspired with the other defendants between January and May, 2024, to provide $2.3m for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and associates under approvals granted by Governor Mohammed.

The EFCC further alleged that $500,000 and $6.9m were delivered in cash, exchanged via a BDC operator, to Bodejo, contrary to Sections 26(1) and 21(3)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the counts of the terrorism charges reads: [b]“That you, Yakubu Adamu (being Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi State Government), Sirajo Jaja (being Accountant-General of Bauchi State-now at large), Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large), Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government accounts and/or payment instruments), sometime between January, 2024 and May, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did directly and willingly provide funds in the aggregate sum of about two million, three hundred thousand United States Dollars (USD 2,300,000.00) in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, having reasonable grounds to believe, that the said funds would be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(1)(a) and punishable under Section 21 (2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”[/b]

I was shocked over FG’s accusation – Gov Mohammed

Governor Mohammed expressed shock over what he described as attempts to link him to terrorism despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor and serving as a leading figure in the opposition.

Mohammed, who was angered by the ongoing ordeal of his Finance Commissioner, Yakubu Adamu, in the custody of the EFCC, said the situation amounted to a clear injustice against him and his administration.

He spoke on Wednesday in Bauchi after receiving a Safety Ambassador Award from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).

He said, “I am just waking up to an accusation that I am being linked to terrorism as a governor and as the head of the opposition. My commissioner has been kept incarcerated and has not been released by the EFCC. Even with my immunity as a governor, my name was mentioned in a motion in a court of law in Nigeria. God is wonderful.”

Mohammed accused the federal government of allegedly using the EFCC to harass and intimidate opposition leaders nationwide, claiming that state institutions, including the courts and anti-graft agencies, were being abused to target those outside the ruling party.

He said, “The APC-led federal government thinks it can use the courts and the EFCC to pursue Nigerians who are not in their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war.”

The governor also criticised the federal government’s performance, alleging that despite huge revenues, little had been done in Bauchi in terms of infrastructure and basic services.

He said he had remained silent for the sake of peace but would no longer tolerate intimidation and political persecution, vowing not to be coerced into joining the ruling party, insisting that his refusal to defect from the PDP should not make him a target.

He further alleged that members of his family and government officials were being arrested and detained by the EFCC without evidence, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democracy.

Source: https://dailytrust.com/fg-links-bauchi-gov-to-alleged-9-7m-terrorism-financing

I will be soooooooooooooo happy if this use1ess Bala is sent to jail after he finishes his term as a governor for terrorism financing allegedly

mascot87:
I will be soooooooooooooo happy if this use1ess Bala is sent to jail after he finishes his term as a governor for terrorism financing allegedly

Don't be deceived by immunity
If there is serious terrorism evidence he will finish his term in prison

mascot87:
I will be soooooooooooooo happy if this use1ess Bala is sent to jail after he finishes his term as a governor for terrorism financing allegedly

I'm telling you. Me too. He is more than useIess.

What’s sauce for bandits is sauce for IPOBs terrorist too! They should arrest any individual connected to IPOBs too!

I think Governor Bala is just playing the victim card here. If the EFCC has linked him to the ongoing investigations, then he should answer.

Interesting...

What a good start for the year. .

Terrorism is not acceptable anymore in this Country....

Yeyenatu set of people

He should be grateful that he is not in detention.

Omo! If the allegations are true, what does he profit from killing all those good people😓?

Nigeria politfians with their stupid mentality… I so much detest them all. This accusation is a serious one, if he’s found wanting… FG abeg no jail time ooo, just straight to the gallow$…

This one na vendetta, make FG go rest abeg. So Petty

This is the first time I will hear a governor of a state threaten to declare war on the federal government. Quite interesting.

Go & proof your case... If you're innocent then there's nothing to be crying foul about

Bala Mohammed should stop being dramatic.

EFCC are not after him but his Finance Commissioner.

Why is he trying to drag himself into the matter?

What do he and the EFCC boss have in common?

DMCY:
Omo! If the allegations are true, what does he profit from killing all those good people😓?

they are making their bl@@d money inside it. Very set of he@rtless people

The EFCC further alleged that $500,000 and $6.9m were delivered in cash, exchanged via a BDC operator, to Bodejo

That's why I fully supported it when Cardoso revoked all the licenses of the BDCs, more than a thousand of them were shut down by the Govt. Those guys are the most complicit, they move money around for all sorts of illegality and atrocities. Just a few of them have been issued a license but under strict supervision. All their transactions are being monitored, that's why they were able to detect this funds.
I also remember that this same man was once arrested two years ago by DSS for forming a vigilante group for myetti allah. He was talking anyhow like Gumi under Buhari and was moving around with security details.

Smh all are allegations until proven guilty by the court

Nawa ooo,what of the one that wined and dinned with terrorists.You know who am talking about,"SHETIMA"

ojobek:
Nawa ooo,what of the one that wined and dinned with terrorists.You know who am talking about,"SHETIMA"

If you have a strong case against Shettima approach the court with it. Was any money traced to Shettima that was used to finance terrorism?

Bala is a known ally of Atiku, so this is a political play by the FG.

The EFCC should focus on the real criminals instead of wasting time on this.

Hope this is not a political witch-hunt because he has not decamp to APC?

Why always the opposition figures?

I don't have pity for the north,we warned you that time not to trust anyone from the waste. This is the outcome of your foolery to punish the south east

The desperation from Tinubu is palpable. The new agenda is to slam terrorism charges against opposition figures or even APC members who refuse to stand on the mandate. First Timipre Sylva, then Malami, Chris Ngige and now Bala Mohammed. Bauchi remains one of the most peaceful states in the North that has not been plagued by either banditry or terrorism. Tinubu cannot hope to gain Northern votes by moving this way. It will he counterproductive.

Lol
A govt that has Shetyima as VP is accusing a gov of terrorism financing
See their zombies and bots dancing naked
Tell them about Kabiru Sakwata and Borno gov Lodge and they'll suddenly become defenders of the universe
Imagine a country where the VP once hid a terrorist!!

alanto:
If you have a strong case against Shettima approach the court with it. Was any money traced to Shettima that was used to finance terrorism?

We know you all will be at the forefront pushing these allegations against Shettima as soon as Tinubu drops him for someone else. Just as you all turned on Elrufai after hailing him for his contributions all through the 2023 campaigns. Professional shape-shifting is an extreme sport.

Northern elites are the ones behind the insecurity ravaging the north. It is so sad that this is how they’ve chosen to keep the country down. FG must go after everyone of them no matter how highly placed.

T

aribisala0:
Don't be deceived by immunity
If there is serious terrorism evidence he will finish his term in prison

I think you might be right, that means he's a direct threat to the people.

Salewa97:
Bala Mohammed should stop being dramatic.

EFCC are not after him but his Finance Commissioner.

Why is he trying to drag himself into the matter?

What do he and the EFCC boss have in common?

He's the target not the commissioner, the commissioner has no authority with funds without the approval of the Governor

The allegation is serious and should be thoroughly investigated.

AMINDA:
We know you all will be at the forefront pushing these allegations against Shettima as soon as Tinubu drops him for someone else. Just as you all turned on Elrufai after hailing him for his contributions all through the 2023 campaigns. Professional shape-shifting is an extreme sport.

Truly, No body knew Elrufi was a demon until the government he helped into power turned against. Would they bring up these allegations if he was in APC how did the Yahaya Bellos case with EFCC end? They'd want to push their delusion on everyone

Now they’re naming names?🤭

I've been saying this for long; the best way to fight banditry and terrorism is to go after the sponsors and kingpins, not the foot soldiers