Bala Mohammed purportedly helped shield a critical EFCC prosecution witness connected to the money laundering charge
Witness matters: In a dramatic new twist to Nigeria’s high-profile anti-corruption battles, sources say Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed allegedly intervened to thwart the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing ₦4.6 billion money laundering case tied to his administration.
According to exclusive sources quoted by Sahara Reporters, the governor is accused of harboring a key prosecution witness and encouraging his nephew, Muntaka Mohammed Duguri, to flee Nigeria for Egypt as the EFCC closed in on critical evidence.
This explosive claim has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and legal circles, raising fresh questions about the integrity of anti-graft prosecutions and political interference in high-stakes corruption trials.
What the Allegations Say
Sources allege the following actions:
- Governor Bala Mohammed purportedly helped shield a critical EFCC prosecution witness connected to the money laundering charge, hindering the prosecution’s ability to secure vital testimony.
- The same sources claim the governor urged his nephew, Muntaka Duguri, to flee Nigeria and seek refuge in Egypt following a fallout with another co-accused, Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu.
- Both Duguri and Aliyu are reportedly at large, and their disappearance has stalled the EFCC’s efforts to advance the case.
These developments, as reported, have delayed prosecution proceedings and frustrated federal efforts to hold key players accountable.
(Source: Sahara Reporters)
Details of the ₦4.6 Billion Fraud Case
The EFCC filed a six-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing:
- Yakubu Adamu — Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance
- Muntaka Mohammed Duguri — Nephew of the governor (at large)
- Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu — Businessman (at large)
- Ayab Agro Products & Freight Company Ltd — Corporate entity
The allegations center on money laundering tied to purported state government contracts and suspicious financial transfers through Polaris Bank, allegedly for motorcycles that were never supplied.
The prosecution charges the accused with concealing, transferring, and using public funds in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Independent reporting confirms these core charges, though the claims of witness interference and flight assistance remain unverified at this time.
(Source: Sahara Reporters; Abuja Press)
Court Orders EFCC to Produce Defendant
On December 24, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite chastised the EFCC for failing to present the defendants in court and ordered Commissioner Yakubu Adamu to appear on December 30, 2025, to take his plea.
This judicial directive highlights growing frustration with delays in prosecuting the case and sets the stage for a pivotal hearing at the end of the year.
(Source: Abuja Press)
Political and Legal Fallout
The allegations of obstruction and witness shielding have sparked intense debate across social and political platforms:
- Critics argue that political interference in EFCC proceedings undermines anti-corruption efforts and erodes public trust.
- Supporters of the governor dismiss the claims as politically motivated until independently verified by court filings or official EFCC statements.
Abuja Affairs Blog will continue to monitor developments in this case, including the December 30 court session and any official responses from the EFCC or Bauchi State Government.
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