The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that it will proceed with the N70 billion corruption case against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during his tenure as the Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.
Gatekeepers News reports that the EFCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajuren, made this statement while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum, who had protested at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday, to demand the reopening of the pending case.
Uwajuren reassured the protesters that the EFCC would not close an investigation once initiated and promised to look into their demand.
The Chairman of the APC Akida Forum, Musa Mahmud, presented a copy of their petition to the EFCC, requesting the Commission to reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Matawalle.
Mahmud cited growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and applauded the APC administration for taking bold steps against government officials suspected of embezzlement, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
He also urged the EFCC to investigate the $2.1 billion arms deal, which included Matawalle among the dishonourable Nigerians and companies that benefited from the former National Security Adviser’s NSA scandal.
The APC Akida Forum commends the Federal Government for its efforts in tackling corruption.
On May 18, 2023, the EFCC had announced that it was investigating allegations of extensive corruption, fraudulent contract awards, and the misappropriation of more than N70bn by Matawalle.
