The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it will reinvestigate the alleged N70 billion fraud case against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, stemming from his time as governor of Zamfara State (2019-2023).
The assurance came in response to a protest by youths under the aegis of the Zamfara Alternative Forum (ZAF), who stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, demanding the probe’s resumption.
Wilson Uwajuren, the EFCC’s acting Director of Public Affairs, addressed the protesters, commending their peaceful approach and assuring them that “nobody is above the law” under the Commission’s watch.
He confirmed that EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede had reviewed all high-profile cases upon assuming office, and the one involving Matawalle would be no exception.
“This case will be revisited because EFCC believes that no case should be swept under the rug,” Uwajuren said. “If our investigation establishes wrongdoing, we will proceed with the matter.”
ZAF spokesperson Mahmud Abubakar urged the anti-graft agency to continue the investigation, citing potential public funds mismanagement during Matawalle’s governorship.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s stance against corruption, citing the recent suspension of Minister Betta Edu for similar allegations. “We urge the EFCC to revisit the corruption case of Bello Matawalle, who is accused of embezzling 70 billion Naira,” the protest letter stated.
The case dates back to May 2023, when the EFCC announced its investigation into Matawalle for alleged “monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion.” According to the Commission, the funds, sourced as a loan for local government projects, were allegedly diverted through proxies and contractors receiving payments for unexecuted work.
“The companies confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamfara State but were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollars (hard currency) and return them to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably the commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs,” the letter added.
