The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described allegations by Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State that the agency is being used by political opponents to persecute him and his cabinet as “wild” and unfounded.
The anti-graft agency made the statement on Friday in Abuja through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
He was responding to Mohammed’s claim that political interests, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were influencing EFCC’s actions against him.
Oyewale said the governor’s claims were “far-fetched” and stressed that EFCC operated independently, without political interference.
“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,” he said.
He called it “mischievous and condemnable” to portray the EFCC as pliable to political demands.
Oyewale also said it was “derogatory” for Mohammed to link ongoing investigations in Bauchi State to any political office holder.
“No political office holder can influence the Commission’s investigative activities.
“If Bala Mohammed wants to be honest, he would have revealed to Nigerians that he was standing trial for money laundering when he won election as governor,” he said.
Oyewale added that the facts against some Bauchi State officials were already before the court, and the public could access charges to determine whether the case stemmed from vendetta or careful investigation.
He noted that Mohammed was mentioned in the charges as the approving authority.
He also dismissed the governor’s claim regarding terrorism financing, describing it as “clutching at straws.”
“The Commission did not invent the law. Where offences exist under extant laws, EFCC must act responsibly,” Oyewale said.
The EFCC spokesperson stressed that public accountability should be a priority for all politicians.
“It is hypocritical for opposition figures to scream persecution when called to account, yet remain silent when ruling party members face similar charges,” he said.
He cited a recent case where a high-ranking ruling party member was arraigned for alleged corruption, noting that no outcry of persecution followed.
Oyewale ended by urging Mohammed to focus on governing Bauchi State while EFCC continued its mandate to clean the nation’s financial space.(NAN)