Many petitions were submitted at the headquarters of the EFCC, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation Bello Mohammed Matawalle’s case
Matawalle’s Case– Members of the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA), a socio-political pressure group, converged at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the reopening of a corruption investigation into allegations against the former Governor of Zamfara State and the Minister of State for Defense, ainst Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
On May 18, 2023, EFCC announced that it was investigating Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, over serious allegations. These allegations included; Monumental corruption, Award of phantom contracts, Diversion of over N70 billion.
The EFCC’s investigation into Matawalle’s activities was aimed at determining the validity of these allegations and ensuring accountability.
The group’s chairman and convener, Muhammad Isah, presented a protest letter to the EFCC’s Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji. Isah urged the commission to investigate the allegations to uphold its credibility and neutrality in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The APC-YLA believes that reopening the case would demonstrate the EFCC’s commitment to transparency and accountability. By investigating the allegations, the commission can show that it is not selective in its anti-corruption efforts.
Muhammad Isah said, “Many petitions were submitted at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), notable ones submitted by the APC Akida Forum on May 3rd, 2024, and a follow-up petition on September 30th, 2024, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
“Recall that on the 18th May 2023, the EFCC, through its then director, media and public affairs, Osita Nwajah Nwajah, said the EFCC was investigating Matawalle over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
“According to the EFCC, the money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank, purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.”
The APC-YLA’s demand for the reopening of Matawalle’s case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in governance.
The EFCC’s response to this demand will be closely watched, as it has implications for the commission’s credibility and effectiveness in combating corruption.