Tag: Bello Matawalle

Banditry Allegation: Court OK’s suit to compel FG to probe Defence Minister, Matawalle

Aminu Imam
EFCC Matawalle

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, okayed a suit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate alleged link between the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and the operation of bandits in Zamfara State. Cited as 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit, which was brought before the court by a Zamfara State-based human rights activist, Abubakar Dahiru, are; President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the Inspector-General of Police. Specifically, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Ojonimi Apeh,…

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Zamfara Gov., Lawal reveals Defence Minister’s involvement in banditry

Aminu Imam
Dauda Lawal alleges

…Calls for his resignation Zamfara State governor,  Dauda Lawal, has revealed Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle’s alleged involvement in banditry. Lawal made the claim during a television programme on Wednesday, citing credible information. “From all the informations we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry issue”, the governor was quoted as saying. This revelation comes amidst unending activities of bandits in northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina States. Lawal’s accusation is not the first time Matawalle has faced allegations of sponsoring banditry.…

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Alleged N70bn theft: “Matawalle can’t escape probe”, EFCC assures Zamfara APC protesters

Aminu Imam
EFCC Matawalle

The EFCC has promised to continue its investigation into alleged stealing of N70bn by Nigeria’s deputy defence minister Bello Matawalle. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle appears to be in deeper mess as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday promised to continue with his investigation over alleged stealing of N70 billion between 2019 and 2023. The Commission said it does not close cases once it opens an investigation. The EFCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, gave the assurance during a protest by members…

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‘Why northerners dominate Tinubu’s security team’ – Matawalle

Aminu Imam
Matawalle on insecurity

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday, insisted that President Bola Tinubu has not been unfair to the North in appointments, pointing out that the President filled key security positions with northerners. The Minister, who spoke in Sokoto on Tuesday, during a visit to the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at 8 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, said this decision is because President Tinubu understands the security situation in the North, particularly the North-West, and he wants a solution. Matawalle, who was accompanied by the Chief…

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N’West: Matawalle, CDS, other Service Chiefs move to tackle terrorists, bandits

Aminu Imam
Minister & Security chiefs

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has directed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the other Service Chiefs to move to Sokoto, headquarters of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army to tackle activities of terrorists and bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi States and its environs. Director, Information and Public, Ministry of Defence, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, disclosed this in a press release. According to the press statement, “This strategic move underscores the unwavering commitment of Government to restoring peace and security in the region. While in…

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Untouchable’ Zamfara ex-Govs. fuel illegal mining and banditry – Investigation

Aminu Imam
Zamfara ex Govs. on illegal mining2

In Zamfara State, local officials and former governors are deeply entangled in the illegal gold mining industry, contributing to the region’s lawlessness, according to an investigation by Truth Nigeria. The vice-chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Ado Adamu, disclosed that influential politicians and village chiefs facilitate illegal mining by securing federal permits under false pretenses and pressuring local miners. Despite a federal ban on mining in Zamfara to curb related violence, ex-governors have been accused of forming bogus companies to exploit the State’s resources. One former governor, now a…

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Terror kingpin, Bello Turji opens up, accuses Matawalle of backing terrorism

Aminu Imam
Bandits kingpin Turji

Terror kingpin, Bello Turji, has spoken from his hideout, accusing Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of complicity in backing terrorism in the country. In a released video, Turji alleged that the issue of insecurity plaguing the country had the full backing of the immediate-past government of Zamfara State. According to him, he had evidence to support this claim, alleging that the past government under Matawalle was well-known to everyone in the region. He claimed that, “This government has been complicit in backing terrorism. There are individuals from Shinkafi,…

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2027: Matawalle lambast Northerners plotting against Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Matawalle Tinubu

…Calls them ‘unpatriotic’ Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has criticised what he describes as “unpatriotic politicians in the northern region”, allegedly plotting against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. Matawalle, formerly the governor of Zamfara State, who accused these politicians of lacking grassroots support and having an “entitlement mentality”, asserted that northern politicians with strong bases firmly support Tinubu. His remarks follow recent criticism from a former national vice-chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Salihu Lukman, who recently resigned from the ruling party.Lukman had…

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Alleged N70bn Corruption: Protesters storm EFCC Abuja office, demand re-opening of Matawalle’s probe

Aminu Imam
Matawalle protest

…”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…

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“Stand with Tinubu or exit” – Matawalle tells Northern appointees

Aminu Imam
Matawalle

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called on all appointees of Northern extraction to either support President Bola Tinubu or step down from their positions. Matawalle’s call came after Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who formerly served as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and currently holds the position of Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Presidency, expressed a differing opinion regarding the Minister’s defence of Tinubu’s administration. Recall that on Saturday, the Minister slammed the NEF for saying it regretted supporting Tinubu in the 2023 general…

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