EFCC’s Wilson Uwujaren has insisted that the commission is politically independent and politicians should avoid using it for campaign purposes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended its independence amid claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that the commission has harassed him for political reasons. Governor Mohammed recently suggested that he is being targeted because he refused to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and raised concerns over the arrest of his Finance Commissioner, who he said has no case to answer.

In response, EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, stressed that the commission operates without political bias.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, he said, “In the over 20 years that we have been in existence, I don’t think we have given any indication that we are politically biased in carrying out our duty. In fact, politics has no business, no place in the work of the EFCC. And, like we said in the statement that was issued moments after he made that allegation, I think it was a little bit, with due respect to His Excellency, it was a little bit reckless to come up with that kind of allegation, especially the claim that the commission is acting at the behest of the minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike. I thought that that was a bit derogatory,” Uwujaren said.

He clarified that constitutional immunity does not shield any governor, president, or vice president from investigation. “As far as constitutional immunity is concerned, there’s no debate about that. Governor Bala Mohammed has immunity under the constitution, but I’m sure he’s also reading that provision upside down. Constitutional immunity does not stop law enforcement from investigating any governor, or even the president and the vice president. There’s no jurisprudence, as it is, that says the EFCC cannot investigate Bala Mohammed or that a charge should not include the name of a serving governor. We are not persecuting Bala Mohammed,” Uwujaren noted.

He added, “The EFCC does not take dictation from any political office holder.”

He further urged politicians to refrain from using the EFCC for campaign purposes. “Politicians should leave the EFCC out of their campaign. People should not drag the commission into politics, because we don’t want to be there.” (ARISE NEWS)

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