Wike: Disregard Bala Mohammed’s wild claims, EFCC tells Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed that the anti-graft agency is being used by his political opponents, particularly Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and members of his administration.

In a statement issued on Friday, the EFCC described the claims as “wild, far-fetched, mischievous and condemnable,” stressing that it remains an independent, non-partisan agency mandated to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes without fear or favour.

The Commission faulted Governor Mohammed for suggesting that its activities in Bauchi State were influenced by Wike, insisting that no political office holder has the capacity to direct or interfere with its investigative processes.

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“It is derogatory for Governor Bala Mohammed to ascribe the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike,” the EFCC said, adding that such assertions were aimed at discrediting its lawful operations.

The agency further stated that Mohammed failed to disclose that he was standing trial for money laundering at the time he was elected governor, noting that only the constitutional immunity attached to his current office halted the prosecution.

“Who influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him in court?” The EFCC queried.

Addressing the ongoing case involving some Bauchi State government officials, the Commission stated that the facts had already been presented to the court and were accessible to the public, who could determine whether the matter was a result of a political vendetta oa r a thorough investigation. It also explained that Mohammed was mentioned in the charge as the approving authority in the state.

The EFCC dismissed suggestions that it was sensationalising issues of terrorism financing, stating that it neither invented the law nor acted outside existing legal provisions.

“Where there are offences punishable by extant laws, the EFCC will be failing in its responsibility to do otherwise,” the statement read.

The anti-graft agency accused politicians of hypocrisy, noting that allegations of persecution are often raised only when opposition figures are investigated, while similar cases involving members of the ruling party attract no such outcry.

The Commission cited the recent arraignment of a senior ruling party member for alleged corruption, saying no claims of persecution were raised in that instance.

The EFCC advised Governor Mohammed to focus on governance in Bauchi and allow the agency to carry out its mandate of sanitising Nigeria’s financial system.