Accountant-General’s Arrest Politicised, Says Bauchi Govt

Bauchi State government has said it will explore all constitutional and legal avenues to ensure that its officials are not unfairly targeted or unjustly treated.

The government expressed surprise over the arrest of the accountant-general of the state, Alhaji Sirajo Mohammed Jaja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja while attending the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that Jaja was arrested on Wednesday in Abuja alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N70 billion.

A statement yesterday by the special adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, acknowledged the EFCC’s responsibility to investigate financial management matters, emphasising that this particular case was already under active investigation by the Bauchi State Anti-Corruption Agency.

Gidado said the agency, led by DIG Sani Mohammed (rtd), a veteran of the EFCC, had already taken significant actions, including the removal, arrest and ongoing investigation of the immediate former accountant general and several permanent secretaries.

The statement raised concerns about the conduct of the EFCC, describing the arrest as sensationalised and politicised.

“The sensationalism, politicisation and media trial surrounding the arrest of a government official who, if invited, would have willingly cooperated with the commission, have created unnecessary drama and suspicion. Many Nigerians now view this as nothing more than a political witch-hunt rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort. The timing and manner of the arrest cast doubts on the real intention behind it,” he said.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, the Bauchi State government highlighted its reputation as one of the most transparent administrations in public financial management.

While pledging cooperation with the EFCC’s investigation, the government called for fairness and due process adding that the fight against corruption should not be reduced to theatrics or political maneuvering.