A political advocacy group, Bauchi Citizens for Good Governance, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to extend its probe into suspected financial mismanagement within Bauchi State’s government institutions.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday in Bauchi, the group’s convener, Musa Ali, said the appeal followed persistent reports of corruption amid worsening economic conditions for pensioners and retirees still awaiting their entitlements.
“It is unacceptable that while many retirees suffer without their due payments, some individuals are allegedly looting public funds. We urge concerned citizens to speak out and support efforts to recover stolen funds and bring culprits to justice,” Ali stated.
He criticized Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration, accusing it of misgovernance and growing corruption. The group also raised concerns about funding sources for the governor’s speculated 2027 presidential bid, citing campaign posters already spotted in several cities.
“Governor Mohammed, like every Nigerian, has the right to pursue higher office, but public funds must not be used to bankroll political ambitions,” the group warned.
They urged the EFCC to focus investigations on key government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry for Local Government (which oversees all 20 LGAs), the Ministries of Housing and Environment, Works, and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. They also named several contracting firms—Habib Construction Company and K.K Kingdom Construction Company—as well as projects linked to the Bauchi Government House, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), infrastructure-related loans, and the State House of Assembly.
The call comes amid a broader EFCC investigation into an alleged N70 billion fraud in the state, which recently led to the arrest of the Accountant General, Sirajo Jaja, a Bureau De Change operator, and a PoS agent.
In response, Governor Bala Mohammed’s media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, acknowledged the EFCC’s involvement but denied Jaja’s role in the case. He emphasized that the state’s own Anti-Corruption Agency, headed by retired DIG Sani Mohammed, is actively pursuing the matter, which has already led to arrests and dismissals of senior officials.
Gidado stressed that due process must be followed and warned against targeting state officials arbitrarily, saying the government will take legal steps to protect their rights.
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