The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that the anti-graft agency is being used by political opponents to persecute him and members of his administration.
In a statement on Thursday, the EFCC described the governor’s claims as “wild, far-fetched, mischievous and condemnable,” insisting that the Commission remains an independent, non-partisan institution committed to fighting economic and financial crimes without fear or favour.
The governor had alleged that the Commission’s actions against officials of the Bauchi State Government were influenced by political interests, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. However, the EFCC dismissed the allegation, stressing that no political office holder has the capacity to influence its investigative or prosecutorial activities.
“It is derogatory for Governor Mohammed to ascribe the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the influence of any political office holder,” the EFCC said, adding that its mandate is guided strictly by law and evidence.
The Commission further noted that Governor Mohammed was standing trial for alleged money laundering before he was elected governor, explaining that only the constitutional immunity attached to his current office halted the prosecution. It questioned who influenced the EFCC to investigate and charge him to court in 2016, long before the present political disagreements.
On the ongoing cases involving some Bauchi State officials, the EFCC stated that the facts have already been placed before the court and are accessible to the public.
According to the Commission, the charges are the product of thorough investigations and not driven by vendetta, noting that the governor’s name appeared in the charge because of his role as the approving authority in the state.
The EFCC also dismissed claims linking its actions to terrorism financing allegations, describing such assertions as an attempt to “cry wolf.” It maintained that where offences exist under extant laws, the Commission has a duty to act.
The anti-graft agency called on politicians to prioritise public accountability, describing it as hypocritical for opposition figures to cry persecution when investigated, while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges. It cited the recent arraignment of a senior ruling party figure as evidence of its non-partisan approach.
The EFCC advised Governor Mohammed to focus on governance in Bauchi State and allow the Commission to carry out its mandate of sanitising the nation’s financial system in line with the law.
