EFCC Arrest Of Bauchi Accountant General: Group Demands Thorough Probe

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A group, Citizens for Good Governance has called for a through investigation of the administration  of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State following the arrest of the  Accountant General of the State, Sirajo Jaja for an alleged N70 Billion fraud in Abuja.

Jaja was arrested by the Economic and. Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC with an unlicensed Bureau De Change Operator and a POS Operator, in connection with investigation of money laundering and diversion of public funds.

Convener of the group, Comrade Musa Ali, explained that EFCC investigations already indicate  transactions  through various banks accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of Bauchi State Government. 

“The said funds are then transferred to the Bureau De Change and POS operators who then made cash payment to party against and associates of the Governor,” Ali stated in a press release .

“According to EFCC the investigation is directly linked to the state government 

“This alleged fraud is coming at a time Bauchi State retirees are not paid them gratuities and pension, yet some few individuals are there siphoning the resources of the state for their personal used, this should not be accepted and we are calling on all well-meaning citizen of Bauchi State to join us and ensure that the said looted funds are recovered and all those involved are prosecuted.”

Ali said the state government ‘s  response to the arrest of the Accountant General  is laughable and did not deny that there was a fraud as alleged by the EFCC.

“The state government statement should have encouraged EFCC to make a thorough an in-depth investigation into the matter and allow the courts to determine the case

EFCC should expand their investigation to all MDA’s with particular focus on Ministry of Finance,

“All 20 LG through ministry for local government Ministry for Housing and Environment Office of the secretary to the state government  Ministry for works, Bauchi State universal Basic Education Board (j) State House of Assembly.

“EFCC should ensure that all those involved are prosecuted and recovered funds return to the state.

“Governor Bala Mohammed should come out and address all corruption allegations against his administration and take necessary practical steps to stop further mismanagement of resour