290B Embezzlement:- CNF Calls On EFCC To Probe Bello Matawalle

By Gambo Abubakar Kadina

The Concern Northern Forum (CNF) has demanded the economic and financial crime commission (EFCC) to proceed in the investigation of former Zamfara state governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle for alleged misappropriation of N290bn during his tenure from 2019 to 2023. 

  The forum Chairman and Convener of the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani made the appealed during the World Press Conference organised by the forum  at NUJ Correspondents Office in Kaduna.

 According to the statement, the former Zamfara state governor, currently serving as minister of defence, has been accused of  embezzling N290bn during his four years tenure.

The petitions were submitted to EFCC urging the commission to swing into  action and investigate the allegations levelled against the immediate past Governor in accordance to their  rules and procedures.

The amount Involved: The CNF claims that Matawalle needs to account for over N290 billion from the FAAC and N133 billion from the JAAC, as well as a N105 billion loan.

The CNF however urged the EFCC to investigate Matawalle and uphold its credibility and neutrality in the fight against corruption.

  "Many petitions submitted at the headquarters of EFCC notable ones submitted by the APC Akida Forum on the 3rd of May 2024 and a follow up petition on 30th September 2024, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation of Matawalle."

The forum lauded the performance and resilience of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leadership in its fight against corruption without bias many times.

The commission has shown determination and persistence in addressing corrupt officials, particularly by taking prompt action against former minister Betta Edu and others.

 "We have also witnessed the commission launch an investigation into the alleged corruption of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.  the Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption."

  The CNF however noted that "If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle from investigation? He is not a governor now. Who is stopping commission from doing its work?.

 He reportedly needs to account for over N290 billion from the FAAC and N133 billion from the JAAC that he received from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, he is also expected to explain the N105 billion loan he took during his tenure as the gov

We are confident that the EFCC has access to all the facts regarding financial crimes in the country. Nevertheless, we feel it is necessary to determine the total funds that the Zamfara State Government received between 2019 and 2023 under Bello Matawalle.

We are making these efforts because, to our dismay, the former governor appeared on a live TV program, misleading the public that he did not receive anything close to N70 Billion Naira during his four-year tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

The facts here presented contradict Bello Matawalle's statements, and the EFCC should investigate him to account for the funds.

 "Recall that on the 18th May 2023, the EFCC, through its then Director, Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah Nwajah, said that the commission is investigating Matawalle over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion."

According to the EFCC, the money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank, purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

  The northern forum further, urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate this matter in order to uphold its credibility and neutrality in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.