The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three civil servants with terrorism financing and money laundering, alleging that millions of dollars in state funds meant for “security commitments” were funneled off the banking system to private recipients, including Miyetti Allah leader Bello Bodejo.
A PREMIUM TIMES review of court documents and government records reveals that at least $2.33 million in cash was delivered to Mr. Bodejo—who has previously faced terrorism allegations—through intermediaries at locations such as a restaurant and a private residence in Abuja, while nearly $7 million was allegedly handed to Commissioner Adamu, all without signed receipts.
In a memo seeking to regularize the disbursements, former Accountant-General Sa’idu Abubakar stated, “Why payments were made to Bello Bodejo was based on the governor’s directives, verbally and via WhatsApp chats,” though Governor Bala Mohammed, who enjoys immunity, has accused the EFCC of political persecution. The agency, which described the governor’s claim as “mischievous and condemnable,” secured a denial of bail for the defendants, with the trial set to begin on 13 January.