Matawalle Under EFCC Radar For N70 Billion Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is currently investigating Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, for alleged N70 billion fraud.

The Anti-graft agency also revealed that the former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, who was recently arrested by the commission's operatives over alleged N22  billion fraud is still in detention.

The EFCC Boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa at a news conference on Thursday, urged Nigerians not to be swayed by Matawalle’s recent outburst.

It could be recalled that the governor had levelled allegations against Bawa and dared the commission to go after President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet members, on Wednesday.

However, Bawa, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Osita Nwajah, explained that the agency was not supposed to dignify Matawalle with a response. Still, it did in order to set the record straight.

“It is intriguing that Matawalle would want to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate.

“Is this a case of a 'thief’' saying he must not be touched until other 'thieves' are caught?

“Unfortunately, it is not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate to the EFCC whom to arrest, when and where.

“Suspects in the custody of the Commission cut across all sectors and social classes.

“The qualification to get a space in the Commission’s detention facility is to commit a crime. It does not matter whether you are a priest, Imam, Governor or minister.

“Currently, a former minister of power is in the custody of the EFCC over a N22 billion corruption allegation.

“That conveniently did not attract Matawalle’s attention,” Nwajah said.