The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s allegation that the agency is being used to persecute him and his aides over his refusal to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement on its verified Facebook account on Friday, the Commission described the governor’s claims as “wild” and “far-fetched,” stressing that it is an independent, non-partisan body tasked with tackling economic and financial crimes.
“The attempt to portray the EFCC as a pliable agency that panders to political interests is mischievous and condemnable,” the statement read.
The EFCC also rejected Mohammed’s suggestion that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced its investigations, noting that no political office holder can interfere with its work. The agency added that the governor had been under investigation for money laundering before his election and that only constitutional immunity has temporarily halted proceedings.
“Members of the public can review court records to see that the ongoing cases against Bauchi State officials are a result of painstaking investigation, not political vendetta,” the EFCC said.
The Commission described the governor’s claims regarding terrorism financing as “like clutching at straws” and called on politicians to prioritise accountability rather than cry persecution.
The statement follows Mohammed’s Wednesday allegation that the APC-led federal government was using institutions like the EFCC to intimidate him and his aides. He claimed one of his commissioners was being detained and insisted no pressure would force him to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reports indicate the EFCC has filed fresh criminal charges against Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and others over alleged terrorism financing involving about $9.7 million.
Leave a Reply