Northern Group Calls On EFCC to Investigate Matawalle Over N528 billion Alleged Embezzlement
A face-off between the Concerned Northern Forum and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over allegations of embezzling over N528bn during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023 has led to the group, led by its chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Sani, accusing Matawalle of mismanaging funds from the Federation Joint Account Allocation Committee, and domestic loans.
In a swift reaction however, Suleiman Shuaibu, who served as Matawalle’s Special Adviser on Bilateral and Multilateral Affairs, dismissed the allegations, describing the group as “faceless.”
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Sani, expressed frustration that despite submitting petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission—including those dated May 3, 2024, and September 30, 2024—the commission was yet to act.
“We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of naira. These are not mere allegations or speculations. We thought the investigation would reopen after our last visit to the commission’s headquarters, but nothing has happened,” Sani said.
He stated that Matawalle must explain the whereabouts of N290bn from FAAC, N133bn from JAAC, and N105bn in loans accessed during his tenure.
“The money, according to Sani 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.” Sani maintained that Matawalle, despite his current federal role, should be held accountable.
“If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law, why would EFCC shield the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle from investigation?” he queried.
The group commended the EFCC’s recent actions against ex-public officials such as Betta Edu and Yahaya Bello, and urged the agency to demonstrate similar commitment in Matawalle’s case “to uphold its credibility and neutrality in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.”
All efforts to reach Matawalle to respond to the allegation failed.