EFCC vows to review Matawalle’s N70 billion fraud case
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to review minister of state for defence Bello Matawalle’s N70 billion fraud case.
Olawale Olukoyede, the EFCC chairman, disclosed this through the EFCC’s acting director of public affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday.
Addressing a group of protesters called Zamfara Alternative Forum who stormed the EFCC headquarters at Jabi, Abuja, Mr Uwujaren said, “What the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has done since assuming office is that he has reviewed all the high-profile cases he inherited.
Mr Uwujaren added, “the EFCC Chairman has asked me to assure you that this case, like others, would not be an exception. The case will be reviewed, and the Chairman assures you that something will be done under the law, and no one is above the law and no case shall be swept under the carpet.
Speaking for the protesting group, Mahmud Abubakar said, “the Zamfara Alternative Forum urges the EFCC to resume its investigation of former Governor Bello Matawalle over the N70bn fraud uncovered by the commission during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in corrupt practices in public office, especially in addition to what happened to the humanitarian minister.”
Mr Matawalle served as Zamfara governor between 2019-2023, when he lost his re-election bid to Dauda Lawal. He was subsequently appointed as minister of state for defence by President Bola Tinubu.
In May 2023, Osita Nwajah, EFCC’s director of public affairs, said, “the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC over allegations of corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
NLNG prize winner Ifowodo says he uses poetry to preserve stories of terrorism victims
Award-winning poet Ogaga Ifowodo says his poetry seeks to preserve the stories of terrorism victims and challenge attempts by their captors to erase their identities.
Health
HERFON to unveil two-volume book on non-communicable diseases
HERFON says it will unveil a two-volume book on non-communicable diseases on October 15 in Abuja, alongside free health screening for participants.
World
Beijing’s 12345 hotline sets pace in citizen-centred urban governance
Beijing 12345 Hotline Citizen Service Centre is emerging as a model of technology-driven urban governance, placing residents’ needs at the centre of public service delivery.
Anti-Corruption
Uche Nnaji drops forged NYSC certificate, submits only WAEC result to INEC for governorship election
Mr Nnaji’s corruption trial will resume on October 26 as the ICPC seeks his conviction for forging his NYSC and UNN degree certificates.
Opinion
Abdul Mahmud: When the ruling party needs guns to win election
No president should need an AK-47 to win an election, and no ruling party should need the threat of one to persuade Nigerians to vote for its candidate.
World
Heavy social media use linked to lower life ratings among youths in 16 countries: Gallup
“What stands out is that moderate social media use for adults is associated with better outcomes on many wellbeing measures,” said Gallup chief.
