The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, in court on December 30 for arraignment over alleged N4.6 billion money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive on Wednesday after the EFCC failed to present Adamu in court to take his plea. The judge warned that sanctions would be imposed on the prosecuting counsel if the defendant is not produced on the next adjourned date.
The case, in which Adamu is charged alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, was initially scheduled for arraignment earlier in the week but could not proceed due to the absence of both the prosecution and the defendants. Although the defence team, led by Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), was present, the matter was adjourned.
When the case was called again on Wednesday, Adamu was still not in court. EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime, apologised for the delay and informed the court that the prosecution intended to amend the charge to include additional defendants who were said to be at large. He requested an extension of the remand order to allow for a joint arraignment on December 30.
The defence strongly opposed the application, arguing that the prosecution could amend the charge at any stage before judgment and that the existing charge was ripe for arraignment. Defence counsel further urged the court to stand the matter down to enable Adamu to be brought in to take his plea, stressing that his continued detention was affecting the payment of salaries to Bauchi State workers.
Justice Nwite expressed displeasure with the conduct of the prosecution, questioning why charges were filed if the EFCC was not ready to proceed with arraignment. The judge described the situation as unfair and unprofessional, warning that severe sanctions would follow if the defendant is not produced on the next court date.
The case was adjourned to December 30 for arraignment.
Adamu is the first defendant in a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025. The charges allege that between June and December 2023, he conspired with others to convert, transfer, and conceal about N4.65 billion allegedly obtained under the guise of financing the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government—a supply that was allegedly never made.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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