Dozens of protesters from Zamfara State have gathered at the entrance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja, urging the commission to reopen investigations on the former governor, Bello Matawalle, for alleged diversion of funds and contract scams amounting to N70 billion.
The group, under the auspices of APC Loyalists Forum, submitted a protest letter to the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who assured them that the commission is committed to pursuing all corruption cases to a logical conclusion.
The EFCC had previously announced an investigation into Matawalle in May 2023, following allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion.
The funds were allegedly sourced as a loan from a bank under the pretext of executing projects across the local government areas of the state, but were allegedly diverted through proxies and contractors who received payments for contracts that were not executed.
Some of the contractors have been interrogated by the EFCC, revealing startling details about how they were compelled to return the funds received from the state coffers back to the governor through his aides, after converting the money to United States Dollars.
The contractors confirmed that they did not provide any service to Zamfara State.
In the course of its investigation, the EFCC has recovered a sum of N300 million from a company named Fezel Nigeria Limited, which was traced to the Zamfara Investment Company.
It is important to note that while in office, state governors and their deputies enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, which has thus far prevented the arrest of Governor Matawalle.
Matawalle, who lost his re-election bid in the 2023 governorship election in Zamfara State, has been appointed as the Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu.
The protesters' demand for the reopening of the investigation on the former governor highlights the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria and the determination of citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
