EFCC to probe former governor Bello Matawalle for alleged embezzlement of N528 billion

On October 1, 2024By Rgal Nv

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday vowed to investigate the alleged misuse of N528 billion by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during his tenure as Governor of State of Zamfara between 2019 and 2023.

The decision followed a petition filed by a political organization of 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 EFCC headquarters in Abuja to submit the petition, accusing Matawalle of allegedly squandering N528 billion of public funds.

Matawalle’s administration has come under close scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

APC Forum members carrying placards with different inscriptions claimed that Matawalle received N290 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), N133 billion from the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) and had taken a loan of N105 billion during his tenure.

The spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, who addressed the aggrieved protesters, assured them that the commission would investigate any allegations of economic and financial crimes.

According to him, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, will do everything in his power to resolve these issues.

Oyewale said the investigation was part of a broader effort to combat corruption in Nigeria, with several former governors and ministers currently under investigation for alleged financial misconduct.

He said: “The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, will do everything in his power to investigate economic and financial crimes. We have done so and will continue to do so. I also want to say that the commission recognizes the right of Nigerians to peacefully protest. This protest is peaceful and Nigerians have the right to it. You can be sure that we will convey this message to the Executive Chairman and that the 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 investigate former Governor Bello Matawalle to explain over N290 billion FAAC, N133 billion JAAC from 2019 to 2023 and the N105 billion loan he contracted as Governor of Zamfara State. We are the APC Akida Forum, a socio-political pressure group headquartered in Kaduna State. We filed 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 repeatedly commended the performance and resilience of the EFCC leadership in their impartial fight against corruption. The commission has shown determination and perseverance in its fight against corrupt officials, including taking swift action against former minister Betta Edu and others.

“We have seen the commission launch investigations into allegations of corruption by former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last Friday, the commission arrested former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State for alleged corruption. If these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would protect the former governor of Zamfara State from investigation?

“We have gathered facts and figures regarding the alleged embezzlement of billions of naira by Bello Matawalle. He should have accounted for over N290 billion from FAAC and N133 billion from JAAC that he received from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, he should explain the N105 billion loan he contracted during his tenure as 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 be reopened, but nothing happened. We are confident that the EFCC has access to all the facts regarding financial crimes in the country. Nonetheless, we believe it is necessary to determine the total amount of funds the Zamfara State Government received between 2019 and 2023 under Bello Matawalle.

“We are making these efforts because, much to our dismay, the former governor appeared on a live television show, misleading the public by claiming that he did not receive anything close to N70 billion during his four-year term as governor of Zamfara State. The facts contradict Bello Matawalle’s statements and the EFCC should investigate him to account for the funds.”

Friday Olokor