A federal high court in Abuja has fixed Wednesday, August 30, for judgment in a suit filed by former Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.
Matawalle is praying the court to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from probing him.
Defendants in the former governor’s suit are the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Matawalle, also one of the ministers in waiting, argued that there is a subsisting judgment of a federal high court in Gusau restraining the commission from prosecuting him.
According to Matawalle, Justice Amina Aliyu, had delivered the judgment in a suit marked FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 on May 31, 2023.
He said the judge held that the EFCC or any other authority asides from the Zamfara state anti-corruption commission “have no authority or power to arrest or prosecute him based on any investigation, report or allegation bordering on any alleged corrupt practices/financial crimes against the plaintiff or his administration as governor of Zamfara”.
Matawalle, through his counsel, Kehinde Akinlolu, held that the allegations made by the defendants, particularly the EFCC, regarding corrupt practices and misappropriation of Zamfara state funds are fabricated with the intent to tarnish his leadership and the trust the public has in him.
Akinlolu also submitted that all contracts awarded during Matawalle’s tenure as governor of Zamfara followed due process, were documented correctly, and had well-maintained records.
He said unless restrained, the defendants are likely to unlawfully arrest, detain, and prosecute his client in violation of his rights.
