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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday 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.
Report from Punch News states that Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after the EFCC failed, for the second time, to present Adamu for plea-taking, warning that the prosecuting counsel would be sanctioned if the defendant was not produced on the next adjourned date.
Adamu and a company, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Ltd, are named as the first and second defendants, respectively, in a six-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025).
The EFCC filed the charge on December 19, alleging that while serving as Branch Manager at Polaris Bank in Bauchi, Adamu conspired with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Director of Makayye Investment Resources Ltd, and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri, both currently at large, to launder about N4.65 billion between June and December 2023.
The prosecution claims the funds were supposedly provided by Polaris Bank to finance motorcycles for the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises, but the motorcycles were never delivered.
“The motorcycles were not supplied, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” the charge read in part.
Another charge alleges that the defendants retained and transferred proceeds from unlawful activities through nominees and third parties, including an alleged N165.9 million transfer to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Ltd.
The EFCC stated that the offences violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under the law.
The case was scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday but could not proceed due to the absence of both the prosecution and the defendants, despite defence lawyers being present in court.
When the case resumed on Wednesday, Adamu was again absent from court.
EFCC Counsel, Samuel Chime, apologised for the previous day’s absence and requested an adjournment, stating that the prosecution planned to amend the charge to include additional suspects.
He noted that the suspects had written to the EFCC, expressing their readiness to appear.
Chime also sought an extension of the remand order, set to expire, to allow the commission to arraign all defendants together on December 30.
However, lead defence counsel, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), strongly opposed the request, arguing that it was not made in good faith.
“There is already a charge before the court against the defendant, which he can take a plea on. The prosecution can amend the charge at any time before judgment,” Uche said.
Uche argued that filing the charge implied the investigation was complete, noting that the EFCC had already responded to the defence’s bail application without mentioning ongoing investigations or additional suspects.
He urged the court to adjourn the matter to allow Adamu to be produced, highlighting the broader implications of his continued detention.
Chime countered, insisting the investigation was concluded and that the prosecution only sought a “uniform arraignment” of all defendants.
Justice Nwite, however, queried the EFCC’s conduct, “Inasmuch as you are not ready, why will you bring the charge? I detest this absolutely,” the judge said, expressing dismay at the prosecution’s handling of the case.
When Chime assured the court that the arraignment would proceed even if the additional suspects failed to appear, the judge issued a stern warning.
In adjourning the matter to December 30, Justice Nwite reiterated his displeasure with the prosecution’s conduct and threatened sanctions for further default.
