Dare Babalola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed as baseless and unfounded the allegations made by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, that the Commission is being used by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides.
In a statement issued on Friday and posted on the Commission’s social media pages, the EFCC described Governor Mohammed’s claims as “wild and far-fetched”, emphasising that it is an independent agency that carries out its mandate without fear or favor.
The Commission stressed that it is not influenced by any political office holder and that its investigative activities are guided by evidence and the law.
The EFCC pointed out that Governor Mohammed was standing trial for money laundering when he won the governorship election in Bauchi State, and that the case was only put on hold due to his constitutional immunity.
The statement read partly, “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?”
The Commission also noted that it had investigated and charged Governor Mohammed in 2016, and that the current case against some officials of Bauchi State government was a result of painstaking investigation.
The EFCC urged Governor Mohammed to focus on governing Bauchi State and allow the Commission to carry out its mandate, stating that public accountability should be the priority of politicians.
The Commission also emphasized that it will continue to carry out its duties in accordance with the law, without fear or favor, and that it will not be swayed by allegations of persecution.
Earlier, Mohammed reacted to allegations of terrorism financing linked to his administration, describing the move by the EFCC as persecution and an attempt to criminalise him for refusing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Wednesday in Bauchi while receiving an award as Safety Ambassador from the Safety Institute of Nigeria, the governor expressed concern that despite his constitutional immunity, his name was mentioned in court filings relating to the alleged offences.
He accused the EFCC and the federal government of attempting to intimidate him for refusing to defect to the ruling party.
