The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, has denied reports that it declared Bello Mattawale, the former governor of Zamfara state, as a wanted person.
This denial comes in response to a report by a news media outlet (not NewsClick Nigeria).
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Wilson Uwujaren, the Head of Media & Publicity of the commission, the EFCC clarified that it did not request the Department of State Service (DSS) to apprehend the former governor.
The statement emphasized that the EFCC would adhere to standard procedures in handling the case involving the ex-governor.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report, entitled, Alleged N70b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex-Zamfara Gov, Matawalle Wanted, which appeared in the Sunday Tribune of June 18, 2023, and purports that the Commission had declared a former Zamafara State governor, Bello Matawalle wanted and requested the Department of State Service, DSS, to arrest him, anywhere he is seen”.
“Without prejudice to the case involving the former governor, the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest.”
The Commission noted that it has a standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating the same to the public, not through faceless “security sources.”
Indeed, this recent development adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict between the former governor and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was earlier reported that the EFCC was conducting an investigation into Bello Matawalle concerning allegations of corruption, including the awarding of fictitious contracts and the diversion of over N70 billion.
It is worth noting that prior to this, Matawalle had accused the former chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa (who is now suspended), of demanding a $2 million bribe from him. The anti-graft agency denied these allegations.
Matawalle had said, “It is not just to always blame governors. It is not only governors who have treasury, the federal government also has. What does the EFCC boss do to them? As he is claiming he has evidence on governors, let him show the world evidence of those at the federal level.
“If he exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him. Let him vacate the office, I am telling you within 10 seconds probably more than 200 people will bring evidence of bribes he collected from them. He knows what he requested from me but I declined.”
