The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that the agency is being used by political opponents to persecute him and officials of his administration.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday, the commission described the governor’s claims as “wild” and “far-fetched,” insisting that it operates independently and without political influence.
The EFCC was responding to comments credited to Governor Mohammed in which he alleged that the commission was being deployed by political interests, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike to target him and members of his government.
“The EFCC is an independent agency created to fight economic and financial crimes. The commission is non-partisan and discharges its mandate without affection or ill will.
“The attempt to portray it as a pliable agency that panders to the demands of certain political interests is therefore mischievous and condemnable,” the statement read.
The commission said it was “derogatory” for the governor to link its activities in Bauchi State to the influence of any political office holder.
“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,” it said.
The EFCC also referred to Mohammed’s past legal issues, stating, “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?”
On cases involving some Bauchi State Government officials, the commission said the facts had already been placed before the court.
It added that members of the public could review the charge sheets to determine whether the cases were politically motivated or the outcome of investigations.
The EFCC also dismissed claims that it was linking the matter to terrorism financing without basis, saying it was enforcing existing laws.
“It is the height of hypocrisy for opposition politicians to be quick to scream persecution each time an opposition figure is called to account but are mute when a member of the ruling party faces the same ordeal.
“Recently, the commission arraigned a ranking member of the ruling party in court for alleged corruption, and not a whimper of persecution was heard from any of the political divide,” the statement added.
The anti-graft agency urged the governor to focus on governance and allow it to carry out its mandate of addressing financial crimes.
Bala Mohammed had earlier accused the EFCC of political persecution after the commission initiated legal action against some officials of his administration.
He claimed the actions were aimed at forcing him to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
