“Stop Crying Wolf!” — EFCC Slams Bala Mohammed Over ‘Wild’ Wike Claims, Gives Back Story

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dismissed as “wild” and “far-fetched” claims by Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, that the anti-graft agency is being used by political opponents, particularly the minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides.

In a strongly worded statement issued on January 2, 2025, the commission said it views Mohammed’s allegations with great displeasure, insisting that it is an independent, non-partisan agency that carries out its mandate without affection or ill will.

According to the EFCC, “the attempt to portray the Commission as a pliable agency that panders to the demands of certain political interests is mischievous and condemnable.”

The commission rejected the suggestion that any political office holder could influence its investigative activities, describing as derogatory the governor’s claim that its actions in Bauchi State were driven by Wike’s influence.

It stressed that no politician has the capacity to direct or manipulate its operations.

The EFCC further stated that Mohammed failed to disclose that he was already standing trial for money laundering before he was elected governor of Bauchi State, noting that only the constitutional immunity attached to his current office put the case in abeyance.

The commission questioned who influenced its decision to investigate and charge him to court in 2016, pointing out that the case predated his tenure as governor.

On the ongoing matters involving officials of the Bauchi State government, the EFCC said the facts are already before the court and are accessible to members of the public, who can judge whether the prosecutions are driven by vendetta or the outcome of painstaking investigation.

It added that Mohammed, as the approving authority in the state, was mentioned in the charges for reasons clearly reflected in the court processes.

The commission dismissed claims linking its actions to issues of terrorism financing as an attempt to clutch at straws, insisting that it neither invented the law nor selectively enforces it.

“Where there are offences punishable by extant laws, the Commission would be failing in its responsibility to do otherwise,” it said.

The EFCC also accused politicians of double standards, describing it as hypocritical for opposition figures to cry persecution when investigated while remaining silent when members of the ruling party face similar charges.

The agency cited the recent arraignment of a ranking figure in the ruling party, noting that no allegations of persecution followed.

The commission advised Mohammed to focus on the governance of Bauchi State and allow it to continue its work of cleaning up the nation’s financial space in line with its statutory mandate.