The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that the agency is being used by political opponents to persecute him and officials of his administration.
The EFCC, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, described the allegations as unfounded and misleading, stressing that it is an independent and non-partisan body mandated to combat economic and financial crimes without political influence.
Oyewale faulted the governor’s claim that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was behind its activities in Bauchi State, saying no political office holder has the power to direct or influence its investigations.
The EFCC spokesman recalled that Mohammed was already facing money laundering charges before becoming governor, noting that only constitutional immunity has stalled the case.
He added that ongoing cases involving some Bauchi State officials are already before the courts and are based on detailed investigations, not political vendetta.
Oyewale stated: “It is derogatory for Mohammed to ascribe the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the Influence of Mr. Wike. It is important to state that no political office holder is in a position to influence the investigative activities of the Commission.
“If Bala Mohammed wants to be honest, he would have revealed to Nigerians that he was standing trial for money laundering at the time he won election as governor of Bauchi State.
“Only the constitutional Immunity from prosecution, which his current office attracts, has put that case in abeyance. Who also influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him to court?
“In the instant case, the facts against some officials of Bauchi State government are already placed before the court. “
Oyewale noted that allegations of terrorism financing or persecution are attempts to distract from issues of accountability.
Oyewale maintained that public officials must be held to account regardless of political affiliation, citing recent prosecutions of members of the ruling party as evidence of its impartiality.
The EFCC spokesman urged Governor Mohammed to focus on governance while allowing the commission to carry out its statutory duty of safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system.
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