The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday promised to investigate the alleged misuse of N528 billion by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle during his administration as Governor of Zamfara State between 2019 and 2023.
The decision followed a petition by a political organisation in the All Progressives Congress, APC Akida Forum.
Arise News reports that the APC Akida Forum, led by Mahmud Mohammed, had staged a protest at the Headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja to submit the petition, accusing Matawalle of alleged squandering of N528 billion in state funds.
Matawalle’s administration has been under intense scrutiny for allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The members of APC Forum carrying placards with different inscriptions alleged that Matawalle received N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), and took out a N105 billion loan during his tenure.
The Spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, who addressed the aggrieved protesters assured them that the commission will investigate any allegation of economic and financial crimes.
According to him, the Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, will do everything within his power to address the issues.
Oyewale said the investigation is part of a broader effort to tackle corruption in Nigeria, with several former governors and ministers currently under investigation for alleged financial misconduct.
He said, “The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, will do everything within his power to investigate economic and financial crimes. We have been doing it and will continue to do it. I also want to say that the commission recognizes the rights of Nigerians to peaceful protest. This protest is peaceful, and Nigerians have a right to it. You can be sure that we’re going to relay this message to the Executive Chairman and necessary action will be taken.
Earlier, members of the APC Akida Forum expressed hope that the investigation will bring transparency and accountability to governance.
Mohammed said, “We urge the EFCC to probe former Gov. Bello Matawalle to account for over N290 billion FAAC, N133 billion JAAC from 2019-2023, and the N105 billion loan he took as Zamfara State Governor. We are the APC Akida Forum, a socio-political pressure group headquartered in Kaduna State. We lodged a petition at the EFCC Headquarters on May 3, 2024, urging the commission to investigate the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
“We have praised the performance and resilience of the EFCC leadership in its fight against corruption without bias many times. The commission has shown determination and persistence in addressing corrupt officials, particularly by taking prompt action against former minister Betta Edu and others.
“We have witnessed the commission launch investigations into alleged corruption by former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last Friday, the commission arrested former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption. If these former governors and ministers were not above the law and EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State from investigation?
“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 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 our last visit to the commission’s headquarters, we thought the investigation would reopen, but nothing has happened. We are confident that the 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 by claiming he did not receive anything close to N70 billion during his four-year tenure as governor of Zamfara State. The facts contradict Bello Matawalle’s statements, and the EFCC should investigate him to account for the funds.”
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