EFCC Rejects Bauchi Governor’s Allegations Of Political Targeting
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that the agency is being used by the Federal Government or political rivals to target him and his administration.
In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC urged Nigerians to disregard the governor’s allegations, calling them baseless and misleading.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission views with great displeasure the claims by Governor Bala Mohammed that the Commission is being used by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides,” the statement said.
The commission described the allegations as “wild” and “far-fetched,” emphasizing that it operates independently and without political influence.
“The EFCC is an independent agency established to fight economic and financial crimes. It carries out its mandate without favoritism or ill will. Suggesting that the Commission can be influenced by political interests is mischievous and condemnable,” it added.
The EFCC also rejected claims that any political officeholder could sway its investigations. “It is derogatory for the governor to attribute the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike. No political official can interfere with the investigative processes of the Commission,” the statement read.
Addressing the governor’s own legal history, the EFCC said Bala Mohammed was already facing charges before he assumed office. “If Governor Mohammed were transparent, he would have disclosed that he was on trial for money laundering at the time he won the governorship election in Bauchi State,” the agency said, noting that only the constitutional immunity attached to his office prevented prosecution.
The EFCC also recalled that investigations into Mohammed date back to 2016, questioning his claims of political persecution. “Who influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him to court?” the agency asked.
On ongoing cases involving Bauchi State officials, the EFCC said the matters are before the courts and based on evidence, not political vendetta. “The facts against some Bauchi State government officials have already been presented to the court,” the statement said, urging the public to review the charges themselves.
The commission dismissed the governor’s remarks regarding terrorism financing, stating that it was simply enforcing the law. “Raising alarms over terrorism financing issues is unfounded. Ignoring legal violations would amount to dereliction of duty,” it said.
Finally, the EFCC accused politicians of double standards, noting that allegations of persecution typically surface only when opposition figures are investigated. “It is hypocritical for opposition politicians to claim persecution each time an opposition figure is called to account,” the statement said, advising Governor Mohammed to focus on governance while the Commission continues its work against financial crimes.
