The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has rejected claims by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that the anti-graft agency is being used by political opponents to harass him and officials of his administration.
In a statement released on Friday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the EFCC described the allegations as “wild” and “far-fetched,” insisting that it operates independently and is not subject to political control.
The commission was responding to remarks attributed to the governor, in which he alleged that political interests, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were using the EFCC to target him.
“The EFCC is an independent agency established to combat economic and financial crimes,” the statement said.
“The commission is non-partisan and carries out its mandate without affection or ill will. Any attempt to portray it as an agency that panders to political interests is mischievous and condemnable.”
The anti-graft body described it as inappropriate for the governor to suggest that its activities in Bauchi State were influenced by any political office holder.
“It is derogatory for Governor Bala Mohammed to attribute the commission’s actions in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike,” the EFCC stated.
“No political office holder has the power to direct or influence the investigative processes of the commission.”
The EFCC further noted that Mohammed was already facing legal challenges before assuming office as governor.
“If Bala Mohammed is being honest, he would tell Nigerians that he was standing trial for money laundering at the time he won election as governor,” the commission said.
“It is only the constitutional immunity attached to his office that placed that case on hold. Who, then, influenced the commission to investigate and prosecute him in 2016?”
On cases involving officials of the Bauchi State Government, the commission said the matters are already before the courts and that charge sheets are publicly accessible.
“Members of the public can examine the charge sheets to determine whether these cases are politically motivated or the outcome of lawful investigations,” it added.
The EFCC also dismissed claims that it was exaggerating allegations by linking some cases to terrorism financing, stressing that it was merely enforcing existing laws.
“It is hypocritical for opposition politicians to cry persecution whenever one of their own is investigated, while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges,” the statement said.
“Recently, the commission arraigned a senior member of the ruling party, and no one alleged persecution.”
The agency urged the Bauchi State governor to concentrate on governance and allow it to carry out its constitutional duty of sanitising Nigeria’s financial system.
Governor Mohammed had earlier accused the EFCC of selective justice, claiming that legal actions against officials of his administration were aimed at pressuring him to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
