- The group, during the protest, urged the EFCC to resume its investigation, as stated by their spokesperson, Mahmud Abubakar
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has pledged to reopen the inquiry into the alleged N70bn money laundering by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, during his tenure as Zamfara State governor.
Olukoyede conveyed this commitment in Abuja on Friday through the EFCC’s acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who addressed journalists following a protest by the Zamfara Alternative Forum at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
The group, during the protest, urged the EFCC to resume its investigation, as stated by their spokesperson, Mahmud Abubakar.
He 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.
“The mismanagement of public funds has far-reaching effects on the people and the state. It leads to a lack of development, a loss of revenue, and a decrease in the quality of life for the people.”
Reacting to the development, Uwujaren said, “I want to thank the Zamfara Alternative Forum for doing this peacefully. We like this kind of peaceful protest and initiative by young Nigerians. I want to assure you that, as far as the commission is concerned, nobody is above the law.
“What the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has done since assuming office is that he has reviewed all the high-profile cases he inherited.
“And 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.
“Be rest assured that this case will be revisited because the EFCC believes that no case should be swept under the carpet. If you have done something wrong and our investigation is able to establish that you have a case, we will proceed with the matter.”
On May 18, 2023, the EFCC, through its Director, Media and Publicity Affairs, Osita Nwajah, said Matawalle was being investigated by the commission over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70bn.