EFCC Dismisses Bauchi Governor Bala’s Allegations, Insists Its Operations Are Independent

By Admin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that the agency is being manipulated by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to witch-hunt him and some officials of his administration.

The Commission described the claims as “as wild as they are far-fetched,” stressing that it is wrong and derogatory for the governor to attribute its activities in Bauchi State to the influence of the FCT Minister. It urged members of the public to ignore the allegations, maintaining that they lack merit.
The anti-graft agency reiterated that no political office holder in the country has the power to influence its investigative processes, emphasizing that it carries out its duties independently and professionally.
In a statement issued on Friday, the EFCC criticized Governor Mohammed for alleging that it was being deployed by political adversaries to persecute him and his aides. The Commission stated that it is a non-partisan institution established to combat economic and financial crimes and that it discharges its mandate without fear, favour, affection, or ill will.
According to the EFCC, attempts by individuals such as the Bauchi State governor to portray the Commission as an agency that bends to political interests are mischievous and condemnable. It stressed that it is inappropriate for Mohammed to link its actions in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike, reiterating that no political office holder can interfere with its investigations.
The Commission further noted that if Governor Mohammed were to be truthful, he would acknowledge that he was standing trial for money laundering at the time he was elected as governor of Bauchi State, and that only the constitutional immunity attached to his current office stalled the prosecution. It questioned who allegedly influenced the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him in 2016.
On the current matter, the EFCC stated that facts relating to some officials of the Bauchi State Government are already before the court. It added that members of the public are free to examine the charges to determine whether the case stems from vendetta or from thorough investigations carried out by the Commission. The agency also explained that Governor Mohammed was mentioned in the charge because he was the approving authority in the state.
The EFCC dismissed claims of terrorism financing being raised in the matter, describing them as an attempt to clutch at straws. It emphasized that it did not create the law and that where offences exist under extant laws, it is duty-bound to act accordingly.
The Commission further stated that public accountability should be the primary concern of politicians, regardless of party affiliation. It described it as hypocritical for opposition politicians to cry persecution whenever one of their members is called to account, while remaining silent when a member of the ruling party faces similar charges.
Citing recent examples, the EFCC noted that it had arraigned a senior member of the ruling party for alleged corruption without any accusations of persecution from any political camp.
The agency concluded by advising Governor Mohammed to concentrate on governing Bauchi State and allow the EFCC to focus on its mandate of sanitizing the nation’s financial system.