EFCC Tells Bala Mohammed to Stop Allegations of Political Persecution
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has rejected claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that it is being used by political opponents to persecute him and members of his administration.
The anti graft agency described the allegation as baseless mischievous and highly condemnable. It insisted that it operates as an independent institution that carries out its duties without political influence or bias.
Governor Mohammed had earlier accused unnamed political actors of plotting to damage his reputation. He specifically alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike was behind attempts to link him to banditry and instability in Bauchi State.
According to the governor such accusations were aimed at destroying his political standing as a leading opposition figure. He described the situation as painful and claimed that even a member of his family had been falsely implicated in corruption allegations.
Mohammed said he had written to the Attorney General of the Federation and other relevant agencies and planned to escalate the matter to the international community in search of protection against what he called victimisation and abuse of his fundamental rights.
In its response the EFCC stated that it was wrong and derogatory for the governor to suggest that any political office holder could influence its investigations. The commission reminded Nigerians that Bala Mohammed was already facing trial for alleged money laundering before he became governor and that only constitutional immunity attached to his current office halted the proceedings.
The agency questioned who influenced its investigation of Mohammed in 2016 and his subsequent arraignment in court in 2017 if political interference was truly at play.
The EFCC also disclosed that charges against some officials of the Bauchi State government are already before the court and available for public scrutiny. It explained that Mohammed was mentioned in the charge because he was the approving authority at the time.
The commission dismissed claims of terrorism financing persecution as an attempt to divert attention. It stressed that it did not create the laws under which suspects are charged and that failing to act where offences are established would amount to dereliction of duty.
The EFCC further accused politicians of hypocrisy for crying persecution when opposition figures are investigated while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges. It noted that a senior member of the ruling party was recently arraigned without claims of victimisation from any political camp.
The agency advised Governor Mohammed to focus on governance while allowing the EFCC to continue its mandate of sanitising the nation financial system.
Before becoming governor Bala Mohammed was arrested by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged corruption linked to his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In May 2017 he was arraigned before an Abuja High Court on a six count charge involving abuse of office false asset declaration and fraud amounting to N864 million.
The charges included allegations that he received N550 million in gratification from Aso Savings and Loans Limited and illegally allocated several luxury properties to himself in Asokoro Abuja while serving as minister.
Mohammed pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court ordered his remand in prison custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
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