Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that the anti-graft agency is being deployed by political opponents—particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—to hound him and officials of his administration.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission described the claims as “wild” and “far-fetched,” stressing that the EFCC is an independent, non-partisan institution established to combat economic and financial crimes without political bias.
According to the Commission, any attempt to portray it as an agency acting at the behest of political interests is not only misleading but also condemnable.
The EFCC maintained that it carries out its statutory responsibilities strictly in line with the law, without affection or ill will toward any individual or political group.
The agency faulted Governor Mohammed for linking its activities in Bauchi State to the alleged influence of Minister Wike, insisting that no political office holder has the power to interfere with its investigative processes.
The Commission, further, stated that Governor Mohammed failed to be candid with Nigerians by omitting the fact that he was already standing trial for money laundering before he emerged as governor of Bauchi State. It noted that the only reason the case is currently stalled is the constitutional immunity attached to his office.
Raising a rhetorical question, the EFCC asked who influenced the Commission to investigate and prosecute Mohammed in 2016, long before his current disagreements with political actors.
On the ongoing cases involving some Bauchi State government officials, the Commission explained that the facts have already been laid before the court and are accessible to members of the public.
It said a review of the charges would clearly show whether the prosecutions are driven by vendetta or by thorough and professional investigation.
The EFCC added that Governor Mohammed’s name appears in the charge because, as the approving authority in the state, his role is relevant to the matters under investigation.
Responding to claims that the investigations amount to harassment over terrorism financing issues, the Commission said such arguments amount to “crying wolf” and described them as an attempt to clutch at straws.
It emphasized that the EFCC did not create the laws under which offences are prosecuted and would be derelict in its duties if it ignored alleged violations of existing statutes.
The agency also called for consistency among politicians, noting that it is hypocritical for opposition figures to cry persecution when they are investigated, while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges. It recalled that the Commission recently arraigned a senior member of the ruling party for alleged corruption without any outcry of persecution from across the political divide.
The EFCC concluded by urging Governor Mohammed to focus on the governance of Bauchi State and allow the Commission to concentrate on its mandate of sanitising the nation’s financial system.