EFCC Assures Continued Pursuit of Matawalle's Alleged N70 bn Fraud Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given assurances that it remains committed to investigating the alleged N70 billion corruption case against Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023. This comes in response to a protest by members of the APC Loyalists Forum at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, May 3, 2024.

The outcome of this high-profile investigation will set a precedent for holding public officials accountable for corruption, and its success could pave the way for more aggressive anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Moreover, the case's resolution will have significant implications for the country's efforts to combat corruption and restore public trust in government institutions.

Wilson Uwajuren, EFCC Acting Director of Public Affairs, addressed the protesters, commending them for their peaceful demonstration and affirming their constitutional right to free expression. He assured them, "I want to assure you all that the EFCC does not close cases. Once we open an investigation into a case, we do not close such a matter. So, I assure you that this petition will be looked into."

The protesters, led by Musa Mahmud, Chairman of the APC Akida Forum, demanded the reopening of the pending case against Matawalle. They cited growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the bold steps taken by the APC administration against government officials suspected of embezzlement. Mahmud stated, "As party loyalists, we want the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter and bring justice to those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds. This will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in corrupt practices in public office, especially considering what happened to the humanitarian minister."

The allegations against Matawalle first surfaced on May 18, 2023, when the EFCC announced its investigation into extensive corruption, fraudulent contract awards, and the misappropriation of more than N70 billion during his tenure as governor. The funds in question were allegedly sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank and diverted by Matawalle through proxies and contractors who received payment for unexecuted contracts.

Why this matters: According to the EFCC, over 100 companies received payments from the funds without evidence of services rendered to the state. Some contractors invited for questioning made "startling revelations" about being compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting them to United States Dollars. As part of its extensive investigation, the EFCC recovered N300 million from Fezel Nigeria Limited, a company traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.

This is not the first time protesters have called on the EFCC to investigate Matawalle. In January, members of the Zamfara Alternative Forum staged a similar protest at the EFCC headquarters, asking the commission to revisit the probe of the former governor. Despite Matawalle's appointment as Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu following his loss in the 2023 governorship election, the EFCC's investigation into his alleged fraud case remains open.

The EFCC's commitment to pursuing the case against Matawalle to its logical conclusion sends a strong message that no one is above the law and that those who engage in corrupt practices will face the consequences of their actions. As Nigeria continues to contend with the challenges of corruption, the outcome of this high-profile investigation will be closely watched by citizens and the international community alike.

Key Takeaways

• EFCC assures protesters it will investigate N70 billion corruption case against Minister Bello Matawalle.
• Matawalle allegedly mismanaged funds during his tenure as Zamfara State Governor from 2019 to 2023.
• Protesters demand justice and reopening of the case to deter corruption in public office.
• EFCC recovered N300 million from a company traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.
• The outcome of the investigation will set a precedent for holding public officials accountable for corruption.