The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, over alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing charges filed by the Federal Government. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar admitted Adamu to bail in the sum of N100 million, alongside four other defendants linked to the case.

In his ruling, the judge directed the commissioner to provide two sureties in the same amount. One surety must be a serving Permanent Secretary, while the other must be a Director, both within the civil service. The court also ordered Adamu to submit his international passport and other travel documents and barred him from leaving Nigeria without court approval.

Justice Umar further instructed the commissioner to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Bauchi every Monday until the trial begins. While delivering the ruling, the judge noted that the prosecution failed to present strong and verifiable evidence linking the accused to terrorism financing. He stressed that donating money alone does not automatically amount to funding terrorism without clear proof.

The court dismissed the Federal Government’s objection to the bail application, describing it as lacking merit. Justice Umar thereafter fixed March 26 for the commencement of the trial, assuring that the matter would be handled in line with the law and due process.