By Abiola Olawale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed receiving a petition against Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, accusing him of alleged corruption during his tenure from 2019 to 2023.
The petition which was submitted by a group of youths who identified themselves as the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance urged the EFCC to probe the allegations contained in the petition.
The group which arrived at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, with the leader of the protesters and convener of the group, Mohammed Ireji, called for a probe into the allegation of graft against the former governor of Zamfara State.
Ireji said: “We are here today to formally request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense.
“Many petitions were submitted at the headquarters of the commission, notable ones submitted by the APC Akida Forum on May 3rd, 2024, and a follow-up petition on September 30th, 2024, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
“We have lauded 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 promptly taking action against former minister Betta Edu and others.
“We have witnessed the commission launch an investigation into the alleged corruption of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last year, the commissioner arrested former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption. If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, from investigation? He is not a governor now. Who is stopping EFCC from doing its work?
“We are confident that the EFCC has access to all the facts regarding financial crimes in the country.”
However, while receiving the petition, the Acting Director of Security, EFCC, Idowu Adedeji, said necessary steps would be taken on the petition.
He said, “We have received your petition today and we will submit it accordingly to the appropriate quarters. Thank you for your visit.”
While the full details of the petition remain sketchy as of press time, this is not the first time Matawalle has faced corruption allegations.
In May 2023, the EFCC announced it was investigating him for alleged involvement in a N70 billion corruption case during his governorship, with reports of 40 exotic cars recovered from his residence.
