A legal advocacy group, Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA), has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify its investigation into alleged corruption in the Bauchi State Government, warning against what it described as selective prosecution.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos, Plateau State, the group’s Vice Chairman, Usman Kabir Adams, criticised the focus on the state’s former Accountant-General, Saidu Abubakar, as the sole target in what it described as a broader web of alleged financial misconduct.

“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,” Adams said.

He questioned why other officials, including a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and individuals linked to Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration, had not been investigated despite their names reportedly appearing in related matters.

Adams noted that the Court of Appeal in Jos had, on March 23, 2025, upheld the decision of a lower court declaring as invalid the law enacted by the Bala Mohammed-led government to create an anti-corruption body mirroring the EFCC. LAWBA described the judgment as a step toward upholding legal standards in governance.

The group called for the immediate resignation or suspension of the SSG, Accountant-General, and other government officials linked to an ongoing case before Justice O.A. Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“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… and the fact that some of these officials shunned an earlier invitation by the EFCC, we call on all of them to resign or step aside from their respective offices forthwith,” Adams said.

LAWBA also addressed speculation over Governor Bala Mohammed’s possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing concern over the implications for anti-corruption efforts.

“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,” Adams said. “As his 2nd tenure in office winds down in 2027, the society is anxiously waiting to see how the anti-graft bodies will resume the trial for the cases that became stalled due to the immunity he currently enjoys… in addition to the cases that emanated during his tenure.”

LAWBA urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to remain consistent and impartial in their investigations.