The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has committed to investigating allegations of financial mismanagement against former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, following a petition submitted by the APC Akida Forum.
The forum’s members, led by Mahmud Mohammed, visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday to present their case, accusing Matawalle of misappropriating a staggering N528 billion in state funds.
Matawalle’s administration has been under intense scrutiny amid numerous allegations of corruption, with this latest petition amplifying calls for accountability.
The APC Akida Forum claims 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 loan of N105 billion during his tenure.
EFCC Spokesman Dele Oyewale addressed the demonstrators, reassuring them that the commission would thoroughly investigate any allegations of economic and financial crimes.
He stated, “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 express 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.”
Members of the APC Akida Forum expressed optimism that the investigation would foster transparency and accountability in governance. Mohammed emphasized, “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.”
The forum commended the EFCC for its unwavering fight against corruption, noting, “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.”
The group also pointed out recent investigations into alleged corruption by other former governors.
“If these former governors and ministers were not above the law and EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State from investigation?” Mohammed queried.
The forum has gathered substantial evidence regarding Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement, asserting that he must clarify the substantial amounts received during his tenure.
“These are not mere allegations or speculations,” Mohammed insisted. “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.”
Mohammed further criticized Matawalle’s public statements, asserting, “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.”
As the EFCC prepares to delve into these allegations, the spotlight remains on Matawalle’s administration, with many awaiting accountability for the alleged mismanagement of state resources.