ALLEGED N528BN FRAUD: EFCC VOWS TO INVESTIGATE MATAWALLE
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By: Motunrayo Aniwura
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced its intention to investigate allegations of financial misconduct against the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, following a petition submitted by the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA).
The petition accuses Matawalle of misappropriating over N528 billion during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
The EFCC made this commitment during a protest held on Friday at its headquarters in Abuja, where APC-YLA convener, Mohammed Ireji, and other demonstrators demanded the reopening of the case.
Ireji questioned the delay in investigating the former governor, referencing earlier petitions, including one by the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and a follow-up submitted on September 30, 2024.
EFCC Acting Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji, who received the petition, confirmed it would be processed accordingly.
The protesters urged the EFCC to take immediate action, citing the commission’s track record in prosecuting high-profile cases, such as those involving former Minister Betta Edu, ex-Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and ex-Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.
The allegations against Matawalle include the 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 taken during his administration.
The APC-YLA convener emphasized that the accusations are based on credible data and not mere speculation.
”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 Defense. We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira,” Ireji said during the protest.
The protest highlighted the growing concerns about selective justice and political interference in the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts. Ireji challenged the commission.
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