A groups known as Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA) and allied groups, has charged the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ICPC to expedite effort towards unraveling corruption cases in Bauchi State.

The groups raised alarm over some burning national issues especially as they concern the EFCC, on-going corruption cases against the PDP-led administration in Bauchi State and the growing conversation, debate and divergent views across the public domain pertaining to the said imminent defection of the Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency Governor Bala Muhammed, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The groups decried the 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 LAWBA, Usamat Kabir Adams Esq who doubled as coordinator program Secretariat while speaking to newsmen in Jos recently, revealed "this is against the backdrop of the fact that beside 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, the law on the basis of which the government was proceeding against him has been invalidated by the judgement of the Bauchi Division of the Federal High Court. 

"It naturally concerns and disturbs all right-thinking persons that 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? "

Adams said 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 judgement 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. 

"The implication of the judgement 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. 

"The needful must as such be done on a sustained basis until justice is attained. Our 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.

He further acknowledged that the current Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State (SSG), the Accountant General (AG) alongside other officials involved in one corruption case or another should resign or be suspended forthwith.

"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."