The EFCC has promised to keep investigating the alleged N70 billion corruption case against Bello Matawalle, who was the Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023, even though he is now the Minister of State for Defence.
The EFCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajuren, said this during a protest by the APC Akida Forum at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, assuring them that the case will not be closed.
Uwajuren informed the protesters that once the EFCC opens an investigation, they do not close it, and assured them that their request will be considered.
He commended the APC Akida Forum for their peaceful protest, assuring them that the EFCC does not close cases once they are opened, and that their petition will be looked into.
Chairman of the group, Musa Mahmud, presented a petition to the EFCC, asking them to reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Matawalle.
He mentioned the call amid concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the government's actions against officials suspected of embezzlement, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, among others.
Mahmud also urged the EFCC to investigate the $2.1 billion arms deal involving Matawalle and others who benefited from the former National Security Adviser’s NSA scandal.
The APC AKIDA Forum is appealing to the EFCC to continue investigating Matawalle’s alleged mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State and his involvement in the famous arms deal scandal.
The APC AKIDA Forum wants the EFCC to investigate the matter and bring justice to those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds, as a deterrent to corrupt practices in public office.
The APC Akida Forum praised the Federal Government for taking decisive action against corruption as a political pressure group.
In May 18, 2023, the EFCC announced that it was investigating allegations of extensive corruption, fraudulent contract awards, and the misappropriation of more than N70 billion by Matawalle.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara Alternative Forum also protested at the EFCC headquarters in January, demanding a review of the former governor's probe. https://punchng.com/matawalles-n70bn-fraud-case-will-be-reviewed-says-efcc/
