Former National Secretary of the Defunct Alliance for Democracy, AD, Prof. Udenta Udenta has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its handling of the investigation involving a sitting governor, insisting that such probes must be carried out quietly and discreetly.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday while reacting to the EFCC’s recent investigation of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, he noted that such approach used could damage governance and public trust.
“Short, direct answer is simple, nobody is above the law and no governor or president is above investigation. Prosecution can occur when you leave office, but investigation will occur when you’re in office.
“But it will be discreet, measured, quiet, under the table kind of investigation, not because the governor is above the law, but because they do not want to distract the state,” Udenta said.
He explained that openly linking a serving governor to such serious allegations has serious international consequences and could harm the country’s image.
According to him, such actions go beyond local politics and can affect how the country is viewed globally.
He also questioned the timing and manner of the allegations, recalling judicial directives to the agency, adding that prosecution should only come after a governor leaves office and only when there is sufficient evidence.
“You recall, the judge asked the FCC, bring these guys to me three times, then quickly overnight you manufactured terror financing charges and dragged the name of a sitting governor into it. The name of the governor has no business being there at this stage, but it can investigate the governor widely and discreetly.
“By the end of his tenure, and you have ample matter, you know, prima facie matter, as they put it, enough evidence for you to prosecute, then you can drag the governor around to the court and begin to prosecute.
“But to prosecute with the media, corrupt and criminally slaughter the name of the governor in his image and reputation is reprehensible. It is not done, but the governor can be investigated, period,” he said firmly.
Furthermore, he also questioned the EFCC’s conduct in court-related matters, suggesting that the commission sometimes abandons cases or handles them without enough urgency.
“I agree, the EFCC cannot fast-track the judicial process, but EFCC can slow it down. Sometimes the judges accuse EFCC of non-diligent persecution, of negligent persecution,” he stated.
He called for the establishment of special courts to handle corruption and economic crimes insisting that these courts should be properly funded, independent, and equipped with modern technology to ensure faster and more effective trials.
According to him, creating such courts would help reduce delays and ensure corruption cases are resolved within a reasonable time, rather than lingering endlessly in the judicial system.
Turning to the debate on a possible one-party state, Udenta said any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose such an arrangement would fail.
He argued that the APC would emerge weaker after its primaries, with other political parties benefiting from internal discontent.
“The flatulence of the APC is over gurgling. It is already happening in Rivers State, which is a sign post for systemic disorder within the party’s administrative infrastructure.
“A multinational, heterogeneous, diverse country will resist the emblem of a one party state.
“Any attempt by the APC to achieve what he sent out to accomplish in the past two and a half years, will fade. Politicians, you must understand, are ghosts. They meander around.
“One to two years ago, ADC wasn’t really something you could talk about as a party to reckon with, but with the movement in the Southeast and across the country with the Obidients and Peter Obi, they have reinforced that particular platform,” he said.
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