Civil Society Groups Condemn EFCC Over Continued Detention of Bauchi Finance Commissioner

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From Paul Orude Bauchi

Civil society organiaations operating under the Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance have condemned the continued detention of Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Yakubu Adamu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement signed by Comrade Godiya T. Adams of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance and Comrade Stephen Eriba, Executive Director of IPSAW, the groups accused the EFCC of defying an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the Commission to produce the Commissioner for arraignment and consideration of bail.

The groups noted that although the EFCC has filed a six-count charge of alleged money laundering against Mr. Adamu, it has repeatedly failed to present him in court.

They added that the defence had expressed readiness to take plea immediately, a position which the EFCC itself reportedly confirmed in open court.

According to the statement, the EFCC’s handling of the case is marked by contradictions.

The Commission was said to have earlier responded to a bail application without indicating that investigations were ongoing, only to later justify continued detention on the grounds of amending charges and pursuing a “uniform arraignment,” which the groups described as bad faith.

The organisations commended the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, for condemning the conduct of the prosecution as unfair and unprofessional, and for questioning why charges were filed if the prosecution was not prepared to proceed.

Beyond the legal issues, the groups warned that the continued detention of the Commissioner of Finance has affected governance in Bauchi State.

They alleged that more than 60,000 civil servants have yet to receive their salaries since Mr. Adamu’s detention, resulting in administrative disruption and hardship for workers and their families.

The civil society groups stressed that prolonged detention without arraignment violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right to personal liberty and fair hearing, and undermines public confidence in the justice system.

They called for the immediate production and arraignment of Mr. Yakubu Adamu in compliance with the court order, respect for due process by the EFCC, and protection of the Commissioner’s fundamental human rights.

The groups also urged relevant oversight bodies, civil society actors, and the international community to closely monitor the case to ensure that justice is served.