Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle
By AMOS MATHEW, Kaduna –
A group known as the Concerned Northern Forum has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle on how he handled over N528 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and loans which he collected between 2019 to 2023 as the number one citizen of the State.
It was made known in a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, the Chairman of the group, Comrade Aliyu Muhammad Sani called on influential Nigerians not to stop anti graft agency from investigating the ex-governor, who is now the Minister of State for defence.
“We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira. He reportedly needs to account for over N290 billion from the FAAC and N133 billion from the JAAC that he received
from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, he is also expected to explain the N105 billion loan he took during his tenure as the governor of Zamfara state.
“These are not mere allegations or speculations. After ourlast visit to this commission’s headquarters, we thought the investigation would reopen, but nothing has happened”. The group pointed out.
“We, the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), find it crucial to convene for a conference to openly call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to proceed with the corruption case initiated by the commission before the 2023 general election.
“There were many petitions submitted at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) notable ones submitted by the
APC Akida Forum on the 3rd of May 2024 and a follow up petition on 30th September, 2024, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
“We have lauded the performance and resilience of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leadership in its fight against corruption without bias many times. The commission has shown determination and persistence in addressing corrupt officials, particularly by promptly taking action against former
minister Betta Edu and others.
“We have witnessed the commission launched an investigation into the alleged corruption of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last year,
the commission arrested former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption.
“If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle from investigation? He is not a governor now. Who is stopping
EFCC from doing its work?.
“We are confident that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has access to all the facts regarding financial crimes in the country. Nevertheless, we feel it is necessary to determine the total funds that the Zamfara State Government received between 2019 and 2023 under Bello Matawalle.
“We are making these efforts because, to our dismay, the former governor appeared on a live TV program, misleading the public that he did not receive anything close to N70 Billion Naira during his four-year tenure as
governor of Zamfara State.
“We recall that on the 18th May 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.
“We urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate this matter in order to uphold its credibility and neutrality in the fight against corruption in Nigeria”. Sani said.
