…”Case still open” – Commission
Some protesters yesterday stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, asking the Commission to re-open the investigations of former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
This includes the alleged contract diversion up to the tune of N70 billion during his tenure as governor of the state.
According to reports, the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who received the protest letter on behalf of the Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, assured the protesters that the Commission would pursue corruption cases to a logical conclusion.
The Chairman of the group, under the aegis of the APC A?ida Forum, Musa Mahmud, who presented a copy of their petition to the EFCC, asked the anti-graft agency to reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Matawalle, saying he should be probed for the “alleged mismanagement of public funds” and “his involvement in the famous arms deal scandal” during his tenure as the Zamfara State Governor.
Recall that on May 18, 2023, the Director, Media and Public Affairs, EFCC, Osita Nwajah, stated that Matawalle was under investigation “over allegations of corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion”.
Presenting a copy of their petition to the EFCC, Chairman of the group, Musa Mahmud, asked the Commission to re-open the investigation into the corruption allegations against Matawalle from 2019 to 2023.
He said the call came amidst growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the bold steps taken by the APC administration regarding government officials suspected of embezzlement, including former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others.
Mahmud further urged the EFCC to investigate the $2.1 billion arms deal, which included Matawalle among the dishonourable Nigerians and companies that benefited from the former National Security Adviser’s NSA scandal.
“The APC A?ida Forum is appealing to the 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 Commission 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 A?ida Forum, as a political pressure group, commends the Federal Government for making bold decisions against corruption”, he added.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has assured the public that it will continue with the alleged corruption case against the governor.
Uwajuren told the protesters that once the EFCC opened an investigation, it would not be closed, and assured them that their demand would be looked into. He assured the protesters that the EFCC is determined to pursue every corruption case to a logical conclusion.
