$2m bribe allegation: EFCC dares Matawalle to provide evidence

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara to provide evidence that Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairperson of the agency, demanded $2 million from him.

Matawalle had alleged in an interview he granted to the BBC Hausa that Bawa had asked for $2 million from him.

Speaking with BBC Hausa on Thursday, Bawa asked Matawalle, to report any governor who has committed financial crimes to the EFCC.

On Wednesday, the Zamfara governor asked the EFCC chairman to ensure that the agency’s probe did not target only outgoing governors but also officials in the presidency.

Matawalle said the planned investigation by the EFCC “must be holistic and not selective”.

Reacting to Matawalle’s comments, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it was probing the governor for allegedly diverting N70 billion meant for contracts in the state.

However, reacting to the allegation by the governor in a statement on Friday, Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson, said Matawalle should go beyond the allegation by providing “concrete evidence as proof”.

“If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond sabre-rattling by spilling the beans-provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations,” the statement reads.

“Again, the commission wishes to alert the public about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29. The commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans and bring those involved to justice.”

Matawalle’s $2m Bribe Hoax: EFCC Will Not Bandy Words with Suspect

“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been drawn to a trending interview granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, by Bello Muhammed Matawalle, governor of Zamfara State, where he allegedly made wild bribery allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, ” the statement reads

“Matawalle’s recourse to mudslinging is symptomatic of a drowning man clutching at straws. But despite the irritation of his phantom claims, the Commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.”

“If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond sabre-rattling by spilling the beans – provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations.

“Again, the commission wishes to alert the public about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29.

“The commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans and bring those involved to justice.”