The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has described Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi claim that the agency is being used by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to prosecute him and his close aides, ahead of the 2027 general elections as a wild goose chase.
EFCC said in a statement published on social media on Friday, urged members of the public to disregard Mohammed’s claim.
“These claims are as wild as they are far- fetched. 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.
“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.
“Members of the public can access the charges and decide for themselves whether the case is borne out of vendetta or is a product of painstaking investigation by the EFCC.
“They will also understand why Bala Mohammed as the approving authority in Bauchi State is mentioned in the charge.
“Crying wolf over issues of terrorism financing is like clutching at straws. The Commission did not invent the law, and where there are offences punishable by extant laws, EFCC will be failing in its responsibility to do otherwise.
“Public accountability should be the priority of politicians of all persuasions. 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.
“Governor Mohammed should face the governance of Bauchi State and allow the EFCC focus more on cleaning the financial space of the nation, in line with its assigned mandate”, EFCC said.
Recently the Commission arraigned a ranking member of the ruling party in court for alleged corruption.
Hmmm
Good for him