Alleged N70bn Theft: Matawalle Can’t Escape Probe, Says EFCC Amid Protest By Zamfara APC

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 Acting Director of Public Affairs in EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, gave the assurance during a protest by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State under the aegis of APC Akida Forum at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, demanding the reopening of the pending case against Matawalle.

He told the protesters led by Musa Mahmud that the commission will look into their demands and see to the end of it.

“I want to commend members of the APC Akida Forum for this peaceful protest. It is within your rights to protest. The constitution guarantees the right of free expression and you have done that today. 

“I want to assure you all that EFCC does not close cases. Once we open investigation into a case, we.do not close such matter. So I assure you that this petition will be look into. Thank you very much”, he said.

While presenting a copy of their petition to EFCC, Mahmud requested  the commission to reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Matawalle.

According to him, the demand comes amidst growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the bold steps taken by the APC administration in recent decisions regarding government officials suspected of embezzlement, including a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

He said, “Recall that on the 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. Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission made startling revelations on how the governor allegedly compelled them to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars (hard currency).

“The companies confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamfara State. Still, they were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollars (hard currency) and return them to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably those in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.”

Mahmud alao called on the EFCC to investigate the $2.1 billion arms deal, which included Matawalle among the dishonorable Nigerians and companies that benefited from the former National Security Adviser’s scandal.

He said, “The APC AKIDA Forum is appealing to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to continue investigating Bello Mohammed 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.”

Friday Olokor, Abuja 

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