The EFCC also defended its actions, saying it was wrong for Governor Mohammed to link its investigative activities in Bauchi State to the FCT minister.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it is being used to persecute Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, insisting that its actions are lawful, independent and not influenced by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement on Friday, the anti-graft agency dismissed the governor’s allegations as unfounded, stressing that it is neither partisan nor subject to the control of any political office holder.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, views with great displeasure the claims of Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed about the Commission being used by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides,” the statement read.
Describing the allegations as baseless, the Commission said, “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.”
The EFCC also defended its actions, saying it was wrong for Governor Mohammed to link its investigative activities in Bauchi State to the FCT minister.
“It is derogatory for Mohammed to ascribe the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the Influence of Mr. Wike,” the agency stated.
The Commission further maintained that no politician has the power to influence its operations, noting that Governor Mohammed had faced corruption charges before assuming office.
“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,” the EFCC said.
“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?”
On the ongoing case involving some Bauchi State officials, the EFCC said the matter is already before the court and based on evidence.
The Commission urged Nigerians to review the court filings themselves, adding, “Members of the public can access the charges and decide for themselves whether the case is borne out of vendetta or is a product of painstaking investigation by the EFCC.
“They will also understand why Bala Mohammed as the approving authority in Bauchi State is mentioned in the charge.”
In response to his denial of links between Bauchi State officials and terrorism financing, the EFCC dismissed the claims as a distraction.
“Crying wolf over issues of terrorism financing is like clutching at straws. The Commission did not invent the law, and where there are offences punishable by extant laws, EFCC will be failing in its responsibility to do otherwise,” it said.
The anti-graft agency also accused politicians of double standards when corruption allegations arise.
“Public accountability should be the priority of politicians of all persuasions. It is the height of hypocrisy for opposition politicians to be quick to scream persecution each time an opposition figure is called to account but are mute when a member of the ruling party faces the same ordeal.
“Recently the Commission arraigned a ranking member of the ruling party in court for alleged corruption, and not a whimper of persecution was heard from any of the political divide,” the statement added.
The EFCC concluded by advising the Bauchi governor to focus on governance rather than attacking the agency.
“Governor Mohammed should face the governance of Bauchi State and allow the EFCC focus more on cleaning the financial space of the nation, in line with its assigned mandate.”
On Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that Mohammed accused the Nigerian government and Wike of orchestrating a coordinated campaign of victimisation, political intimidation, and the abuse of security institutions to destroy him.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Mohammed alleged that Wike had been “controlling institutions, bribing people, and influencing petitions” against him, insisting that the ongoing legal and security actions involving his administration were politically motivated.
"Somebody said he is going to ‘put fire’ in my state. The FCT Minister, Wike. And I understand he is controlling all these institutions, bribing people and selling influence," he said.
Mohammed claimed that informants within the EFCC disclosed that petitions and documents influencing court processes were allegedly orchestrated to target him and implicate officials of his government, including his Commissioner of Finance.