The Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Movement says it was not part of a group demanding the probe of Bello Matawalle, former governor of the state.
On May 3, a group identified as the APC Loyalists Forum protested at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, asking the anti-graft agency to reopen an alleged N70 billion funds diversion case against Matawalle, the current minister of state for defence.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Abubakar Gusau, chairman of the Zamfara APC Youth Movement, said the crowd was politically motivated to tarnish Matawalle’s image and integrity.
Gusau dismissed the allegations against the minister, saying Matawalle followed due process for every contract he awarded, adding that all projects were executed.
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“There is no documentary evidence where the former governor was indicted for misappropriation, misapplication, and embezzlement of public funds for personal enrichment,” the statement reads.
“Furthermore, there is no Judiciary Commission of Inquiry or anti-graft agency in Zamfara State where Dr Bello Matawalle was indicted for alleged corruption.
“More importantly, there is a subsisting court judgement that restrained the EFCC from investigating, arresting, and prosecuting Matawalle. The judgement has not been set aside by a higher court.
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“We challenge the sponsors of the protest to provide the public with any documentary evidence where the former governor collected funds from any contractor as kickback when he was in office or show any bank account where such funds were siphoned by Matawalle.”
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