By Ayo Kehinde
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that its investigations into officials of the state government are politically motivated or influenced by political opponents.
In a statement issued on Friday, the anti-graft agency said it viewed with “great displeasure” claims that it was being used as a tool of persecution, particularly the suggestion that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was directing its activities against the Bauchi governor and his aides.
Describing the allegations as “wild, far-fetched and mischievous”, the EFCC stressed that it is an independent, non-partisan institution established to combat economic and financial crimes without fear, favour, affection or ill will.
“The attempt to portray the Commission as a pliable agency that panders to the demands of certain political interests is condemnable”, the EFCC said, insisting that no political office holder has the power to influence its investigative processes.
The Commission further stated that it was misleading for Governor Mohammed to attribute its activities in Bauchi State to political influence, noting that he was already standing trial for alleged money laundering before he was elected governor. According to the EFCC, the case was only put on hold due to the constitutional immunity attached to his current office.
“If Bala Mohammed wants to be honest, he would have revealed to Nigerians that he was standing trial at the time he won the election as governor. Who influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him to court?” the statement queried.
On the ongoing case involving some Bauchi State government officials, the EFCC said the facts are already before the court and accessible to the public. It added that Governor Mohammed was mentioned in the charge in his capacity as the approving authority in the state, and not as a result of any vendetta.
Reacting to claims linking the investigations to issues of terrorism financing, the Commission said it merely enforces existing laws and would be derelict in its duty if it failed to act where offences punishable under extant legislation are disclosed.
The EFCC also urged politicians across party lines to embrace public accountability, describing it as hypocritical for opposition figures to cry persecution when called to account, while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges.
It cited the recent arraignment of a senior member of the ruling party over alleged corruption, noting that no allegations of persecution followed.
The Commission urged Governor Mohammed to focus on the governance of Bauchi State and allow the EFCC to continue its mandate of sanitising Nigeria’s financial space in the interest of transparency and accountability.
