The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly rejected allegations by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that it is being used by political rivals—particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—to persecute him and his associates.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Commission described the claims as “mischievous, unacceptable, wild, and far-fetched,” stressing that it remains a non-partisan institution that discharges its mandate without political influence.

The EFCC said it was inappropriate for the governor to attribute its investigative activities in Bauchi State to the influence of any political office holder, insisting that no individual has the power to direct or interfere with its operations.

“As an independent institution established to combat economic and financial crimes, the Commission remains non-partisan and discharges its mandate without affection or ill will,” the statement read.

Governor Mohammed had earlier accused unnamed political actors of plotting to damage his image and destabilise Bauchi State. He specifically alleged that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was behind efforts to link him with banditry and terrorism financing.

“There are people behind it, and I know them,” Mohammed said. “Somebody said he is going to put fire in my state—FCT Minister Wike. For a rising opposition leader to be accused of terrorism is very painful.”

He further claimed that one of his nephews was wrongly linked to corruption charges and described the actions against him as victimisation, adding that he had written to the Attorney General of the Federation and planned to seek international intervention to protect his fundamental human rights.

Reacting, the EFCC stated that Mohammed failed to disclose that he was already standing trial for money laundering at the time he was elected governor, noting that only constitutional immunity had stalled the prosecution.

“If Bala Mohammed wants to be honest, he would have revealed to Nigerians that he was standing trial for money laundering when he won the governorship election,” the Commission stated. “Who influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him to court?”

The agency noted that charges against some Bauchi State government officials are already before the court and available for public scrutiny, stressing that the inclusion of the governor’s name in the case stemmed from his role as the approving authority in the state.

The EFCC also dismissed claims of terrorism financing allegations as baseless, stating that it neither invents laws nor ignores offences punishable under existing statutes.

“Crying wolf over issues of terrorism financing is like clutching at straws. Where offences exist, the Commission will be failing in its duty to look the other way,” it said.

The Commission 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.

“Public accountability should be the priority of politicians of all persuasions,” the EFCC added, urging Governor Mohammed to focus on governance while allowing the agency to carry out its mandate.

Mohammed was previously arrested and questioned by the EFCC in 2016 over alleged corruption during his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In May 2017, he was arraigned before the FCT High Court on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office, false asset declaration, and fraud amounting to ₦864 million.

The charges included allegations that he received ₦550 million as gratification from Aso Savings and Loans Limited in connection with properties in Asokoro, Abuja, and unlawfully allocated to himself several duplexes valued at ₦314 million through the Presidential Task Force on Sale of Government Houses.

He was also accused of making false asset declarations while in office.

Mohammed pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his arraignment, the court ordered his remand in prison custody pending the determination of a bail application and adjourned the matter for ruling.