The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to act on a fresh petition against Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defense, over allegations of embezzling over N528 billion during his time as Zamfara State Governor.
The petition, submitted by the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA), prompted a protest at EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday. APC-YLA Convener, Mohammed Ireji, led demonstrators demanding the reopening of the case.
“We are here today to formally request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen the investigation into the corr¥ption 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.
He cited earlier petitions, including one by the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and another on September 30, 2024, as evidence of continued pressure on the EFCC to act.
The EFCC’s Acting Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji, responded briefly, saying, “We have received your petition and we will submit it accordingly.”
According to APC-YLA, the allegations against Matawalle include the misappropriation of N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), and a N105 billion loan allegedly taken without accountability.
“These are not mere speculations but backed by concrete facts and figures,” Ireji emphasized.
The protesters warned against selective justice, referencing the EFCC’s successful investigations of former Minister Betta Edu, ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and ex-Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku.
“If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would shield Matawalle from investigation?” Ireji asked.
He concluded, “We have lauded the performance and resilience of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leadership in its fight against corr¥ption without bias many times.”
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