The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) on Friday mentioned it would re-investigate the N70 billion cash laundering case towards former Zamfara State Governor and Protection Minister Bello Matawalle beneath the present management.
The committee particularly mentioned that every one high-profile circumstances left behind by the previous EFCC chairman, Bello Matawalle, have been reviewed.
EFCC Appearing Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, made this identified when a bunch beneath the auspices of Zamfara Different Discussion board (ZAF) protested on the fee headquarters in Abuja.
The Zamfara Different Discussion board on Friday stormed the EFCC headquarters in protest, urging the EFCC to rethink the investigation into Matawalle over the alleged laundering of N70 billion throughout his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
The previous governor was initially investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau through the tenure of Abdulrasheed Bawa for allegedly pocketing N70 billion from Zamfara state coffers.
The EFCC mentioned the governor allegedly siphoned off Zamfara's funds derived from a mortgage from an outdated technology financial institution, allegedly for the execution of initiatives in native governments within the state.
The anti-graft fee mentioned the governor used proxies who posed as contractors for the initiatives and acquired paid however didn’t implement the initiatives.
Matawalle then accused the EFCC of solely focusing on governors whereas ignoring officers with budgetary allocations on the federal degree.
However since Bawa left, not a lot has been heard concerning the case.
Discussion board chairman Mallam Musa Sa'idu, who led the protesters to the fee to file a petition, urged the EFCC to renew investigation towards Matawalle.
He mentioned the decision got here amid rising considerations over corruption in Nigeria and the daring steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in latest choices concerning officers of his authorities suspected of embezzlement.
Sa'idu recalled that the fee's investigation discovered that greater than 100 corporations had acquired funds from the funds, with out proof of service to the state.
He mentioned: “The Zamfara Different Discussion board urges the EFCC to proceed to analyze the alleged mismanagement of public funds by Bello Mohammed Matawalle throughout his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
“We would like the EFCC to analyze the matter and convey to justice these chargeable for the mismanagement of public funds. This can function a deterrent to others contemplating partaking in corrupt practices in public workplace, particularly along with what occurred to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The mismanagement of public assets has far-reaching penalties for the folks and the state. It results in an absence of improvement, lack of earnings and a decline in folks's high quality of life.
Reacting, Uwujaren assured the protesters that the matter shall be investigated, noting that nobody is above the legislation.
The EFCC official mentioned the anti-graft company led by Ola Olukoyede won’t ignore high-profile circumstances.
He mentioned: “I wish to thank the Zamfara folks for doing this peacefully. We love these sorts of peaceable initiatives by younger Nigerians. I wish to guarantee you that so far as the committee is worried, nobody is above the legislation.
“What the EFCC chairman has finished since he took workplace is that he has reviewed all of the high-profile circumstances he inherited. And he requested me to guarantee you that this case wouldn’t be an exception like others, and that it is going to be judged, and he assures you that one thing shall be finished beneath the legislation and that nobody is above the legislation and that no case shall be swept. beneath the carpet.
“Relaxation assured that this matter shall be revisited as a result of EFCC believes that regardless of ought to fall beneath the legislation. When you’ve got finished one thing incorrect and our investigation exhibits that there’s a case, we’ll proceed with the case.”
