A political group, Eyes on Democracy, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of using its powers to suppress Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, due to his critical stance against the government.
The group alleged that the EFCC is no longer acting independently but has instead become “a political tool” used to silence opposition figures.
The controversy follows the recent arrest of Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, who was taken into custody by the EFCC in Abuja during a Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.
The Commission alleges that Jaja was involved in the mismanagement of N70 billion.
During a press briefing on Monday, the leader of Eyes on Democracy, Munir Aska, stated: “We believe that the recent detention of the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, by the EFCC while he was attending the FAAC meeting in Abuja is politically motivated and orchestrated by political adversaries to silence the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, for being the strongest voice of Nigeria’s masses amidst the bad governance of the All Progressive Congress.”
The group expressed strong disapproval of the arrest, labeling it as “a politically motivated witch hunt” aimed at intimidating Governor Mohammed and his administration.
Aska further remarked: “This desperate move is clearly an attempt to silence a courageous leader who has consistently spoken truth to power, refusing to be cowed by the forces that seek to suppress democracy and good governance.”
The group pointed out that the timing of these actions was suspicious, arguing that “these arrests and intimidation of Bauchi State Government officials are happening at a time when Bala Mohammed has remained vocal in challenging the excesses of the presidency and standing firm in defense of the interests of the Nigerian people. His bold stance has made him a target for persecution, and the EFCC is being weaponized as an instrument of political oppression rather than a true anti-corruption agency.”
Aska called for the immediate release of the detained officials, stating that if there were any allegations against them, they should be charged in a competent court of law rather than subjected to what the group perceives as politically motivated harassment.
