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Bauchi Govt In Shock Mode Over EFCC’s Arrest Of Accountant General
The state government also raised concerns about the timing at which the arrest was conducted, raising questions about the true intentions of the EFFC.
The Bauchi State Government has expressed shock over the recent arrest of the state’s Accountant General, Sirajo Jaja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
The government also expressed concern over the manner of arrest which was carried out while the Accountant General was attending the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, an official duty that led to an unexpected interruption by the anti-corruption agency.
The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, in a statement, stressed that the EFCC’s actions were taken despite being aware of an ongoing investigation into the financial mismanagement by the Bauchi State Anti-Corruption Agency, which is led by DIG Sani Mohammed (rtd.), a distinguished former EFCC officer.
The state government highlighted that this investigation had already led to significant developments, including the removal of the immediate former Accountant General and several permanent secretaries.
The state government also raised concerns about the timing at which the arrest was conducted, raising questions about the true intentions of the EFFC.
“The conduct of the EFCC in this matter raises serious concerns. The sensationalism, politicization, 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.”
While the Bauchi State government affirmed its commitment to transparency and good governance, it emphasized its expectations of fairness and due process in the handling of the case.
It stressed that the Bauchi’s administration has consistently been ranked among the most transparent in public financial management, and the state government reiterated its pledge to continue upholding high standards of accountability.
“We remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and good governance. The state government will explore all constitutional and legal avenues to ensure fairness and justice for its officials. No state official should be subjected to arbitrary treatment that undermines their dignity and due process,” Gidado added.
The state government promised to cooperate with the EFCC in the course of its investigation, and says it expects reciprocity in fairness and justice.
According to him, such financial mishandling not only disrupts critical public services and projects but also results in major losses to the nation’s purse—resources that could have been channelled into crucial services and developmental efforts, as laid out in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaker Abbas, thereafter setup a Special Committee to be chaired by Rep. Chinedu Martins to immediately launch a probe into the “Utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to present.”
The FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja light rail project, reaffirming its May 29 delivery as sacrosanct.
He made these assurances after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations on Wednesday, from Metro Train Station in the Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reassuring journalists accompanying him, the minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would commission the rail project on May 29 to mark his second year in office.
The visited stations were Wupa station near Idu and Bassanjiwa station near the airport.
“This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see the contractors’ progress,” Wike explained.
“We are working day and night to fulfill our promise to President Tinubu and FCT residents. By May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line.”
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen are currently invading some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to sources, the herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday.
“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The media had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
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