Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
BAUCHI, NIGERIA — The Bauchi State Government has formally accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of engaging in a politically-motivated witch-hunt and prosecutorial overreach, following the arrest and prosecution of senior officials from the state’s administration. In a petition dated December 31, 2025, the government asserted that the anti-graft agency’s conduct represents an abuse of prosecutorial powers and a threat to constitutional order, democratic stability and fundamental rights.
The petition, submitted by the Bauchi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, expressed deep concern over the EFCC’s handling of high-profile cases involving the state’s Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development and other senior civil servants. According to the state government, the officials were detained beyond permissible timelines, linked to serious allegations such as terrorism financing and money laundering only after judicial scrutiny, and subjected to repeated procedural lapses that raise questions about the fairness of the prosecution.
Central to the government’s complaint is the assertion that the EFCC’s actions have been intended to intimidate and politically destabilise Bauchi State, particularly by gratuitously involving Governor Bala Mohammed in the narrative despite his constitutional immunity as a sitting governor. The petition alleges that the governor’s name has been “unnecessarily and repeatedly” mentioned in charge sheets and media commentary, potentially prejudicing public perception and undermining the due process of law.
“It is our firm view that the conduct of the EFCC in this matter goes beyond legitimate anti-corruption efforts and now poses a clear and present danger to the constitutional order,” the petition read, warning that the Commission’s approach could undermine public confidence in criminal justice institutions and weaken democratic norms if left unchecked.
Bauchi officials argue that the introduction of terrorism financing allegations — which were absent at the point of initial arrest — appears to have been tacked on after legal scrutiny raised questions about the strength of the original charges, suggesting a strategy designed more to damage reputations and create political leverage than to secure accountability. The state government also challenged certain assertions in the charge sheet, such as claims that the state’s Accountant-General was “at large,” describing such statements as misleading and factually incorrect, given that the official had honoured EFCC invitations and was subsequently released on bail.
The petition called for immediate federal intervention, urging the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the EFCC’s conduct, ensure compliance with constitutional safeguards and prosecutorial ethics, and restrain actions that could inflame political tensions or endanger lives. Bauchi’s leaders stressed that anti-corruption efforts must remain impartial, evidence-based and anchored in due process, warning against the weaponisation of law-enforcement machinery to target political opposition.
Governor Bala Mohammed — a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum — has repeatedly criticised the Federal Government for what he describes as the misuse of institutions like the EFCC to pressure or punish opponents, a claim echoed in the state’s petition. He has alleged that the federal authorities are seeking to coerce political realignment and that his refusal to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has made him and his allies targets of selective enforcement.
In related statements issued this week, the Bauchi State Government urged Nigerians to uphold the rule of law without intimidation and stressed that opposition voices should not be criminalised merely for holding different political views. It also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasising that allegations against state officials should be addressed through fair and constitutional legal processes rather than perceived political coercion.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics indicating that the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies can erode trust in governance and weaken institutional effectiveness. Others argue that accusations of political bias in high-profile investigations undermine efforts to ensure accountability and the rule of law, particularly if they diminish public confidence in anti-graft campaigns.
As the dispute unfolds, legal observers are calling for clarity and transparency in the handling of the cases, urging that due process be observed so that both public confidence and constitutional norms are upheld. Analysts note that how the EFCC and federal authorities respond to these allegations could have broader implications for future anti-corruption efforts and the integrity of governance in Nigeria.
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