‘Right thing will be done’ — EFCC replies group seeking Matawalle’s probe over ‘N70bn fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will conduct a thorough investigation into the allegation against Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence.

In January, the commission said it would revisit the probe of Mattawalle over alleged N70 billion money laundering while he was the governor of Zamfara.

Addressing some protesters at the anti-graft headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, assured that the alleged fraud case against the former governor would be thoroughly investigated and brought to a convincing end.

“Investigations, as far as anti-corruption work is concerned, are not a press-button thing. Investigations have to be detailed; they have to be thorough, fully integrated, and broad-based. You have aired your views, and we will do what we’re supposed to do,” the EFCC spokesperson told the protesters.

“We’ll convey your message to the executive chairman. As you can see, the admin has been doing marvellously well, and it’ll do more.

“Every single thing that you have addressed in your letter will be conveyed to the appropriate quarters, and I can assure you that the right thing will be done.”

Speaking earlier, Aliyu Yunusa, chairman of Tinubu Youth and Women Network, a support group protesting Matawalle’s alleged fraud case, alleged that the minister mismanaged public funds and resources during his tenure as governor from 2019 to 2023.

Yunusa said the governor allegedly diverted government funds through proxies and contractors who received payments for contracts that were not executed.

“It is on record that on May 18, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its then Director of Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, stated that the EFCC is investigating Governor Matawalle over allegations of massive corruption, award of fictitious contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion,” he said.

“According to the EFCC, the money, which 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.

“The commission’s investigations revealed that over 100 companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state. Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission made startling revelations on how the governor allegedly compelled them to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States dollars (hard currency).

“The companies confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamfara state.

“Still, they were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States dollars (hard currency) and return them to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably those in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.”

Last October, the Zamfara government revealed how Matawalle approved a 100 percent payment of over one billion Naira for fencing, landscaping, and furnishing of governor’s lodges in 14 LGAs before the project began.