Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has denounced the arrest of the state’s Accountant-General, Sirajo Muhammad, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), labeling it a politically driven act.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor argued that Muhammad’s arrest was orchestrated to weaken the opposition.
He accused the ruling party of using anti-corruption agencies as tools for political suppression.
Muhammad was arrested on allegations of diverting N70 billion in state funds, but Governor Mohammed questioned the credibility of the move.
“The manner and timing of this arrest create doubts about the real purpose behind it,” the statement said, asserting that the action appeared more like a political witch-hunt than a legitimate effort to tackle corruption.
The governor expressed dismay over the arrest, noting that Bauchi State had already launched its own investigation into the case through the Bauchi State Anti-Corruption Agency.
The agency, headed by retired DIG Sani Mohammed a former EFCC official and respected anti-corruption expert had already taken decisive measures, including the removal and detention of the previous Accountant-General and several senior officials.
Governor Mohammed reaffirmed the state’s dedication to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that Bauchi has consistently ranked high in public financial management assessments.