The Arewa Joint Initiative for Peace has urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as sympathy-seeking narratives surrounding serious corruption and terrorism-financing allegations against top officials of the Bauchi State Government.
In a statement signed by its President, Julius Danlami, the group referenced the recent arraignment of senior state officials, including the Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to the group, the charges — reportedly bordering on conspiracy, diversion of public funds and alleged terrorism financing — raise grave governance and national security concerns that should not be diluted by political rhetoric.
The Arewa group said it was disturbed by public remarks credited to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, suggesting that the prosecution of officials in his administration was politically motivated, allegedly due to his refusal to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Describing such claims as an attempt to deflect attention from the substance of the allegations, the organisation warned that framing judicial processes as political persecution could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
“Allegations involving the conversion of public resources and the financing of terrorism go beyond routine political disputes,” the statement said. “They strike at the heart of public trust, national security and moral responsibility, especially in a region that has endured prolonged violence and instability.”
While acknowledging that a sitting governor enjoys constitutional immunity, the group stressed that immunity does not amount to impunity, insisting that judicial processes must proceed without interference or emotional manipulation.
The organisation further cautioned Nigerians against allowing sympathy narratives to overshadow accountability, urging citizens to demand transparency and ethical leadership from public office holders.
It also called on the judiciary to ensure the expeditious handling of the case, warning that undue delays could deepen public distrust and fuel misinformation.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peace, justice and good governance, maintaining that serious allegations of corruption and terrorism financing must be addressed through due process, not political sentiment.
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