Arrest of our Accountant General politically motivated, Bauchi State cries out.

The Bauchi State Government has alleged that the arrest of its Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja was politically motivated.

Governor Bala Mohammed in a statement described the arrest as “political witch-hunting,” alleging that the EFCC’s actions were targeted harassment of the opposition.

Jaja was arrested while attending a Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, sparking surprise and questions about the timing and intent of the EFCC’s actions.

Bauchi State Government insisted that the manner of the arrest was an unnecessary escalation, suggesting that a formal invitation would have sufficed given Jaja’s willingness to cooperate.

According to the state government, the EFCC’s allegations against Jaja, including money laundering, diversion of public funds, and misappropriation totaling N70 billion, were already being investigated by the state’s own anti-corruption body.

The government argued that the EFCC’s intervention was redundant and possibly driven by ulterior motives rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.

The EFCC claims that Jaja, alongside an unlicensed bureau de change operator, Aliyu Abubakar, and a Point of Sale operator, Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, facilitated cash withdrawals of N59 billion through various state-operated bank accounts.

However, Bauchi State Government has countered that the dramatic nature of the arrest and the subsequent media trial had fueled public suspicion of a political witch-hunt rather than a legitimate anti-corruption effort.

Governor Mohammed has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that the state conducts its affairs in full compliance with regulations and has a track record of transparency in public financial management.

The government has pledged to cooperate with the EFCC’s investigation but has called for fairness and adherence to due process, warning that the fight against corruption should not devolve into political maneuvering or arbitrary targeting of state officials.

The government stressed that no state official should be subjected to actions that undermine due process or the rule of law, reinforcing the administration’s resolve to uphold good governance.

The arrest of the Accountant General has sparked a heated debate about the role of the EFCC in combating corruption and the need for the agency to adhere to due process and respect the dignity and rights of those involved. The Bauchi State Government’s press release serves as a public call for scrutiny of the EFCC’s methods, urging Nigerians to question whether such interventions truly advance the cause of justice or merely perpetuate political rivalries.