By Amos Joseph The Citizens’ Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) has demanded the immediate investigation and prosecution of B...
By Amos Joseph
The Citizens’ Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) has demanded the immediate investigation and prosecution of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, over the alleged diversion of ₦70 billion in state funds.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Yahaya M. Abdullahi, the group described the scandal as “a brazen act of financial recklessness” and called on anti-corruption agencies to take urgent action.
The controversy erupted following the arrest of Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sirajo Jaja, alongside several unlicensed financial operators, over allegations of illegal withdrawals and money laundering. According to reports from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ₦59 billion was funneled through multiple bank accounts controlled by Jaja and subsequently distributed among political agents and close allies of Governor Bala Mohammed.
In the statement, Abdullahi condemned what he termed a “state-sanctioned looting spree,” accusing the administration of diverting funds meant for education, healthcare, and infrastructure into private pockets for political patronage. “It is unacceptable that while millions of Bauchi State residents struggle with poverty, unemployment, and deteriorating public services, the very government entrusted with their welfare is at the center of one of the largest financial scandals in the state’s history,” he said.
The coalition insisted that the EFCC must not limit its investigation to the Accountant-General but must also summon Governor Bala Mohammed for questioning. “This level of financial mismanagement could not have occurred without the approval or complicity of the highest office in the state,” Abdullahi stated. He also recalled that Bala Mohammed had previously faced corruption allegations, including an indictment by anti-graft agencies over suspicious financial dealings during his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He accused the governor’s administration in Bauchi of repeatedly failing to account for billions of naira allocated to the state from federal funds, donor agencies, and internally generated revenue.
CCAC demanded a comprehensive audit of the state’s financial activities under Bala Mohammed’s administration to uncover the full extent of the alleged looting. The group also insisted that all individuals implicated in the fraud, including government officials, political associates, and financial enablers, must be prosecuted. “Every stolen kobo must be traced, recovered, and redirected toward critical sectors that have suffered due to this financial recklessness,” Abdullahi said. He further called for the immediate suspension of the Accountant-General and all other indicted officials to prevent them from interfering with ongoing investigations.
The coalition urged the people of Bauchi State to rise against corruption and demand accountability from their leaders. “Corruption thrives when people remain silent. We call on civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to speak out and resist any attempts to cover up this scandal,” Abdullahi declared.
To ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet, CCAC announced plans to submit a formal petition to the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the National Assembly. “The people of Bauchi deserve answers, and we will not rest until justice is served,” Abdullahi concluded.
No comments