The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that it will review a fresh petition calling for the investigation of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over allegations of large-scale financial misappropriation during his time as Governor of Zamfara State.
The commitment came during a protest held at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, led by the **All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA). The group submitted a formal petition accusing Matawalle of embezzling over ₦528 billion while serving as governor.
Convener of the protest, Mohammed Ireji, decried what he described as a delay in pursuing justice despite multiple petitions filed previously, including submissions by the APC Akida Forum in May and September 2024
Speaking during the demonstration, Ireji declared:
“We are not here with speculation; we have documented figures showing how funds from both the **Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) were diverted, along with an unaccounted ₦105 billion loan.”
The breakdown of the alleged embezzlement includes ₦290 billion from FAAC, ₦133 billion from JAAC, and ₦105 billion in questionable borrowing, all said to have occurred during Matawalle’s tenure as governor.
EFCC Acting Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji, who received the petition on behalf of the commission, assured protesters that the matter would be given appropriate attention.
The protesters also referenced the EFCC’s recent high-profile cases against former Minister Betta Edu, ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku, urging the commission to show equal determination in holding all public officials accountable, regardless of political affiliations.
Amid growing criticism of selective justice and alleged political interference, APC-YLA insisted that reopening the Matawalle probe would restore public trust in the EFCC's anti-corruption mandate.
As of press time, neither the EFCC nor Minister Matawalle had issued further public statements beyond Friday’s exchange.
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