by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Lawyers for the Cause Bauchi (LAWBA) and Coordinator Program has decried as “selective, partial and illegal process” to which the Bauchi State Government subjected its former Accountant-General, Sa’idu Abubakar, in the name of “fighting corruption.”
Vice Chairman of the Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA) and Coordinator Program Secretariat, Usamat Kabir Adam, disclosed this in a Press Briefing to newsmen in Jos on Monday, at the NUJ Press Center.
He said, “This is against the backdrop of the fact that, besides the said former A.G. being the only public figure out of many being singled out for investigation, thereby making it more like a case of selective and persecution-driven process.”
According to him, “The law on the basis of which the government was proceeding against him has been invalidated by the judgment of the Bauchi Division of the Federal High Court.”
While expressing concerns, he felt disturbed that all right-thinking persons would wonder that, out of the multitude and, of course, mind-boggling corruption cases pertaining to Bauchi State, only the immediate past A-G was being singled out for the so-called investigation.
“Where are the likes of the former SSG among other officials or people related to the governor or his government whose names keep featuring in one case or the other?”
“Fortunately, therefore, we are happy to point out the fact that the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, in Appeal No: CA/19/2023 delivered judgment on the 28/03/2025 affirming the decision of the lower court to the effect that the law earlier made by the Bala Mohammed-led administration in Bauchi State, which was meant to create a corruption-fighting body in the frame or similar to the EFCC, is invalid,” he noted.
The Vice Chairman further stated that, “The implication of the judgment is that the Court has further cleared the coast as regards the role, duties and responsibilities of the EFCC and ICPC on corruption and other cases of graft against Bauchi State.
“In other words, the ball has now been put in the court of these anti-graft bodies with respect to matters involving Bauchi State like other states in the country.”
He, therefore, noted that “There is the need for such to be done on a sustained basis until justice is attained, adding that their idea of justice on this matter is for the government at all levels to always give a satisfactory account of all the tax payers’ money, resources and other articles of general ownership put in their hands on trust.
“It is our view that, based on the seriousness of the allegations against the SSG of Bauchi State, the Accountant-General and other officials involved in the corruption case currently pending before Honourable Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the fact that some of these officials of Bauchi State Government shunned an earlier invitation by the EFCC on the matter, we call on all of them to resign or step aside from their respective offices forthwith, pending the determination of the case against them.”
He stressed that, “Upon their failure to do so, the Governor should immediately suspend them from office,” and recall the Edo State case, which it was only recently that the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Samson Osagie, was recalled from suspension after he, alongside the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, were suspended on allegations of involvement in financial corruption.
“So, the Governor of Bauchi State has the moral and even legal duty to follow suit. That is the only way speedy, smooth and expeditious hearing of the case can be attained, while at the same time the battered image into which the matter dragged the reputation of the state would be positively adjusted.
“We wish to add at this juncture that, anything short of this will further erode confidence about the credibility, integrity and standing of the Bala Mohammed-led administration with regards to financial fidelity, probity, accountability and so on.
“On the rumour that Governor Bala Muhammad has/or wants to defect from PDP to APC, we recognize the right of citizens, politicians and other Nigerians to in the exercise of their rights join any political party of their choice.
“So, the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, in the person of Kauran Bauchi, is free to join the APC but, however, the greatest concern is the interest and importance to the populace in Bauchi State as to how EFCC and ICPC’s engagement on corruption cases against his administration and its officials will fare going forward, if at the end of the day he defects to the APC.”
He explained that, “As a matter of public knowledge, Governor Bala and a member of his family were facing a couple of corruption allegations before he became governor, in 2019.
“As his 2nd tenure in office as governor winds down, in 2027, the society is anxiously waiting how the anti-graft bodies will resume the trial for the cases that became stalled due to the immunity he currently enjoys from criminal prosecution, in addition to the cases that emanated during his tenure as governor.
“Two of these cases, which are said to be many, have to do with the current and the immediate past Accountant-General of Bauchi State.”
He also advises the APC-led Federal Government and the national leadership of the APC to be careful and circumspect a great deal in how they want to handle the touted defection of Governor Bala Muhammad to the fold of their party at this material time, given the circumstances.
“For the sake of politics, we understand that it means nothing for the two sides to close ranks for the sake of working for President Tinubu’s re-election, in 2027, or any other interest they may have, as if the Governor of Bauchi State has not had occasions to publicly and vigorously criticize President Tinubu.”
He assured that, “They shall deploy the veritable tool offered by the judgment to ensure that politicians and leaders don’t take the people for granted, to succeed in these efforts and, as we have always emphasized, the media has a crucial and critical role to play.”