May 3, (THEWILL)- Dozens of protesters from Zamfara State operating under a group, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum, have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigations of alleged corruption against Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence.
THEWILL reports that Matawalle is the immediate-past governor of Zamfara State.
The group, led by its chairman, Mallam Musa Mahmud, while protesting at the Headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, called on the anti-graft agency to investigate all petitions against Matawalle, including the alleged contract diversion up to the tune of N70 billion during his tenure as governor of the state.
A letter signed by Mahmud on behalf of the group reads in part: “We formally request that the Commission reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense.
“This call comes amidst growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the bold steps taken by our APC administration in recent decisions regarding government officials suspected of embezzlement, including former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others.”
The group recalled that on May 18, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), through its then-Director, Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah Nwajah, said that the EFCC is 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 Commission’s investigations revealed that over 100 companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state,” the group said.
“We are appealing to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to continue investigating Matawalle’s alleged mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State and his involvement in the famous arms deal scandal.
“As party loyalists, we want the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter and bring justice to those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in corrupt practices in public office, especially considering what happened to the Humanitarian Minister.
“The APC Akida Forum, as a political pressure group, commends the Federal Government for making bold decisions against corruption,” the group added.
The EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who received the protest letter on behalf of the Chairman, assured the protesters that the Commission is determined to pursue every corruption case to a logical conclusion.
