By Springnewsng Media Limited | March 21, 2025

The Bauchi State Government has condemned the arrest of its Accountant General, Sirajo Jaja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCChttp://The Bauchi State Government has condemned the arrest of its Accountant General, Sirajo Jaja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling it a politically motivated attack.

In a statement on Thursday, Governor Bala Mohammed’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, criticized the EFCC for what he described as “sensationalism and politicization” of the alleged N70 billion fraud case.

Gidado pointed out that the Bauchi State Anti-Corruption Agency, led by former EFCC officer DIG Sani Mohammed (retd.), was already investigating the case before Jaja’s arrest. He also noted that the former Accountant General and several permanent secretaries had already been removed and investigated.

Allegations of Bias and Media Trial

The Bauchi government accused the EFCC of staging an unnecessary drama by arresting Jaja while he was in Abuja attending a Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting.

“The sensationalism, politicization, and media trial of a government official who, if invited, would have willingly cooperated with the commission, have created unnecessary drama and suspicion,” Gidado said.

He further argued that many Nigerians now view the arrest as a politically motivated attack rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort, questioning the timing and intent of the EFCC’s actions.

Bauchi Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency

Gidado emphasized that the Bala Mohammed-led administration has been independently ranked among the most transparent in financial management. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to cooperating with the EFCC but demanded fairness in the process.

“No state official should be subjected to arbitrary treatment that undermines their dignity and due process. The state government will explore all constitutional and legal avenues to ensure that its officials are not unfairly targeted,” he said.

EFCC’s Case Against Bauchi Accountant General

The EFCC had arrested Jaja on Wednesday alongside unlicensed Bureau De Change operator Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise and POS operator Sunusi Sambo. Investigations reportedly uncovered cash withdrawals totaling N59 billion from state government accounts, allegedly funneled to political associates and party agents.

An EFCC official confirmed that Governor Bala Mohammed himself was under investigation. However, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment further.

Political Undercurrents

Governor Mohammed, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, is a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. His recent meeting with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, where they discussed plans to challenge Tinubu in 2027, has fueled speculations that the EFCC’s actions may be politically motivated.

As the case unfolds, Bauchi State insists that the fight against corruption must remain impartial, warning against using anti-graft agencies for politically movtaited