Matawalle: We’ll Get It Right, Not Rushed – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into the corruption allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, made this statement on Wednesday during an interface at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja between the EFCC and members of the Tinubu Youth and Women Network, a political pressure group that has been advocating for an investigation into Matawalle’s alleged corruption.
The EFCC is investigating Matawalle over allegations of mismanagement of public funds and resources during his tenure as the Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.
The agency had announced in May 2023 that it was investigating Matawalle over allegations of massive corruption, award of fictitious contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion.
The Tinubu Youth and Women Network, which claims to be working with the government to identify and address instances of corruption, pressed the EFCC to reopen the investigation into Matawalle’s alleged corruption.
Bearing placards with inscriptions such as ‘EFCC, why is Matawalle free?’, ‘EFCC, don’t forget Matawalle’, ‘EFCC, is Matawalle above the law?’ among others, the group accused the former governor of diverting billions of naira meant for projects in Zamfara State and has called for his prosecution.
Presenting their demands, Comrade Aliyu Yunusa, the leader of the group, said, “We are formally requesting the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who is currently state Minister for Defense.
“We are appealing to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to continue investigating Bello Mohammed Matawalle’s alleged mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State and his involvement in the famous arms deal scandal.
“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.”
In response to the group’s demands, Oyewale assured that the EFCC will convey their message to the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and assured that the right thing will be done concerning the matter.
“Investigations as far as anti-corruption work is concerned, is not a press-button thing. Investigations have to be detailed, they have to be thorough, fully integrated and broad-based. You have aired your views, and we will do what we’re supposed to do.
“We’ll convey your message to the executive chairman. As you can see, the admin has been doing marvellously well, and it’ll do more. Every single thing that you have addressed in your letter will be conveyed to the appropriate quarters, and I can assure you that the right thing will be done,” Oyewale said.
As the investigation continues, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the outcome of the EFCC’s probe into Matawalle’s alleged corruption. With the agency’s assurance that it will get it right, not rushed, many are hoping that justice will be served and that those found guilty will face the full wrath of the law
