Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, under stringent conditions. This follows his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud. The ruling was delivered on Friday.

Justice Nwite admitted the commissioner to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. The EFCC had earlier arraigned Adamu alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd on a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025, bordering on money laundering.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences occurred between June and December 2023, while Adamu was serving as the Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd in Bauchi. He is alleged to have conspired with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri—both currently at large—to divert funds. The prosecution alleges that the defendants facilitated the conversion and concealment of N4,650,000,000 provided by Polaris Bank. The funds were purportedly meant to finance the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises; however, the EFCC claims the motorcycles were never supplied.

During the proceedings, Adamu’s counsel, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), moved the bail application, which was opposed by EFCC prosecutor Samuel Chime.

While giving his verdict, Justice Nwite granted bail but imposed strict conditions. The judge mandated that the commissioner’s two sureties must possess landed property in the Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarinpa districts of Abuja. Justice Nwite stipulated, “The sureties must deposit the original Certificates of Occupancy for the properties with the court for the duration of the trial.” Additionally, the sureties are required to surrender their international passports to the court registrar. The commissioner himself is prohibited from traveling outside Nigeria without an express court order. Justice Nwite also directed both the defendant and his sureties to submit recent passport photographs to the court.

Pending the perfection of these bail conditions, the judge ordered that the commissioner be remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre. The case has been adjourned for further hearing.