Arrest, detention of Bauchi AG politically motivated — Group

It has been suggested that the recent detention of the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while he was attending the FAAC meeting in Abuja is politically motivated and orchestrated by political adversaries to silence the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

The suggestion was made by Eyes on Democracy, a pro-democracy and good governance advocacy organisation committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large, during a press conference held at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre on Monday.

The group stated that Bala Mohammed is the target of the EFCC for being the strongest voice of Nigeria’s masses amidst the bad governance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chairman of the group, Munir Aska, while reading the text, stated: “We strongly condemn the arrest, which we view as nothing but a politically motivated witch hunt designed to intimidate Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and his administration.”

According to him, “This desperate move is clearly an attempt to silence a courageous leader who has consistently spoken truth to power, refusing to be cowed by the forces that seek to suppress democracy and good governance.”

He stressed: “Eyes on Democracy believes that it is no coincidence that these arrests and intimidation of Bauchi State Government Officials are happening at a time when Governor Bala Abdulkadir has remained vocal in challenging the excesses of the presidency and standing firm in defence of the interests of the Nigerian people.

“His bold stance has made him a target for persecution, and the EFCC is being weaponised as an instrument of political oppression rather than a true anti-corruption agency. We are left wondering why the EFCC would arrest the Accountant General in such a manner, even though he was neither invited nor engaged in any way by the Commission,” he added.

According to him, “We, Eyes on Democracy, actively monitor government actions, expose political injustices, and defend democratic institutions against authoritarian tendencies. We unequivocally state that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed manages state finances and resources prudently and transparently. Because of his exemplary leadership, Bauchi State is experiencing massive, unprecedented, and rapid developmental transformation in every aspect of human life.”

He stressed: “Eyes on Democracy will not stand by and watch as the EFCC is manipulated to serve selfish political interests. We call on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to take note of these undemocratic actions and resist any attempt to turn the EFCC into a political tool for oppression.”

“We demand that the EFCC operate within the bounds of the law. Any attempt to twist the law to humiliate and intimidate Governor Bala Mohammed and Bauchi State government officials will be met with strong resistance from the good people of Bauchi State,” he assured.

He demanded that: “The EFCC should release the Accountant General, and if there are genuine allegations, they should be handled according to the law.”

According to him, “We stand firmly with Governor Bala Mohammed and all voices of truth and justice in Nigeria. No amount of intimidation will stop the march towards true democracy and accountability.”

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