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The All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA), a socio-political advocacy group, protested at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja on Friday, calling for the reopening of the investigation into corruption charges against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the minister of state for Defense.
During a presentation of their protest letter to EFCC's director of security, Idowu Adedeji, the chairman and convener, Muhammad Isah, urged the commission to probe the accusations to maintain its integrity and impartiality in the anti-corruption effort in Nigeria.
Isah claimed that Matawalle misappropriated billions of Naira and should be held accountable for over N290 billion from FAAC and N133 billion from JAAC that he received as the governor of Zamfara State between 2019 and 2023.
He emphasized that the minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration must clarify the N105 billion loan obtained during his governorship, asserting that these are not simply allegations or conjectures.
“We are here today to officially request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense.
Several petitions have been submitted at the EFCC headquarters, including notable ones from the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and a subsequent petition on September 30, 2024, urging the commission to continue its investigation of former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State.
“We have compiled facts and figures related to the alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira by Bello Matawalle.
He is believed to need to account for over N290 billion from FAAC and N133 billion from JAAC, which he received from 2019 to 2023, along with clarifying the N105 billion loan sourced during his governorship, as these are not mere allegations or speculations.
“Following our last visit to this commission, we expected the investigation to resume, but no action has been taken. We believe the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) possesses all the necessary information regarding financial crimes in this country. However, we believe it is essential to ascertain the total amount the Zamfara State Government received from 2019 to 2023 under Bello Matawalle.
“We are taking these steps because we were alarmed to hear the former governor on a live television broadcast misrepresenting that he did not receive anything close to N70 billion during his four years as the governor of Zamfara State. The facts contradict Bello Matawalle’s remarks, and we urge the EFCC to investigate him regarding the funds.
“Remember that on May 18, 2023, the EFCC, represented by its then Director of Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, confirmed that they were investigating Matawalle for serious corruption allegations, the awarding of fictitious contracts, and the diversion of over N70 billion.
The EFCC alleged that the funds, which were purportedly sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank for the implementation of projects across local government areas in the state, were diverted by the governor through intermediaries and contractors who were paid for contracts that were never executed,” he added.
