The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed protesters on Friday that it will address a petition from the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA) concerning alleged financial misconduct by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Protesters, led by APC-YLA Convener Mohammed Ireji, gathered at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja to express concerns over the EFCC’s delay in thoroughly investigating the graft allegations against the former governor of Zamfara State.
While acknowledging the petition, Idowu Adedeji, the acting Director of Security at the EFCC, remarked: “We have received your petition and we will submit it accordingly.” Ireji stated, “We are here today to formally request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defence.
“Several petitions have been lodged at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, including significant submissions from the APC Akida Forum on May 3rd, 2024, and a follow-up petition on September 30th, 2024, urging the commission to persist in its investigation into former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State.
“We have commended the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its unwavering fight against corruption on numerous occasions. The commission has demonstrated commitment and resolve in taking action against corrupt officials, specifically acting promptly against former minister Betta Edu and others.
“We have observed that the commission began an investigation into the alleged corruption of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last year, the commission apprehended former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption.
“If all these former governors and ministers are accountable to the law, then who is protecting former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle from investigation? He is no longer in office. What barriers are hindering the EFCC’s ability to perform its duties?
“We have compiled evidence concerning Bello Matawalle’s purported embezzlement of billions of Naira.
“He allegedly needs to justify over N290 billion from the FAAC and N133 billion from the JAAC received from 2019 to 2023.
“He must also clarify the N105 billion loan he acquired during his governorship in Zamfara State.
“These are not baseless allegations or conjectures. After our last visit to the headquarters of this commission, we anticipated the reopening of the investigation, yet no progress has been made.
“We trust that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has access to all pertinent details regarding financial crimes in the nation.
