The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to investigate former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, over allegations of embezzling more than N528 billion during his tenure.
This commitment came in response to a protest staged on Friday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja by the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA). Led by Convener Mohammed Ireji, the demonstrators called for the anti-graft agency to reopen the corruption case against Matawalle.
Ireji criticized the EFCC for the delay in acting on the allegations, referencing earlier petitions submitted by APC-YLA and the APC Akida Forum on May 3 and September 30, 2024. He stressed that the allegations are backed by documented evidence, not speculation.
“We are here today to demand that the EFCC reopen its investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle. We have concrete facts and figures regarding the misappropriation of billions of naira,” Ireji said during the protest.
The accusations include the alleged diversion of N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), and an unexplained N105 billion loan obtained during Matawalle’s time as governor.
Receiving the latest petition, EFCC’s Acting Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji, assured protesters that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate department for action.
The demonstrators commended the EFCC for its previous efforts in prosecuting high-profile figures such as former Minister Betta Edu, ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and ex-Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku. They urged the commission to demonstrate equal resolve in handling the case against Matawalle.
“We have consistently praised the EFCC’s leadership for its resilience and impartiality in the fight against corruption,” Ireji said, while cautioning against selective justice. “If those former governors and ministers were not above the law, who then is shielding Matawalle from scrutiny?”
The protest underscored growing public concern over political interference in anti-corruption efforts and called for greater accountability across all levels of government.
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