Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies have fresh investigations to conduct following recent allegations of misappropriation of state funds against the country’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Development Diaries reports that in a viral video on social media, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, alleged that the former governor of the state, Matawalle, purchased exotic cars for terrorists and kept them in the government house.
‘The former governor bought Hilux vehicles and dashed them to bandits. The evidence is there. He was giving asylum in the government house to bandits’, Gajam alleged.
‘We do not have a functioning education system. What will amaze you is the idea that the past administration spent three years without paying for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examination Council (NECO) exams for our students’.
This is the state Zamfara state is at the moment.
The Former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle really finished Zamfara totally before leaving the office. He should be arrested.
Retweet to educate others. pic.twitter.com/dZcRnuaOTX
— Arewa Twittér (@ArewaTwiter) November 1, 2023
Recall that in May 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it was probing Matawalle for allegedly diverting N70 billion meant for contracts.
It therefore came as a shock when President Bola Tinubu nominated Matwalle for a ministerial position, despite the financial crimes allegations against the former governor.
If Tinubu cares about performance like he is making Nigerians believe, someone who is under investigation by the EFCC ought not to be a minister, as it undermines the principles of transparency and accountability and also erodes public trust in the government.
The Nigerian political landscape has long been marred by corruption and mismanagement of public funds, hindering the country’s development.
It is understood that several pro-democracy demonstrators marched to the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for the sack of Matawalle over these allegations.
Development Diaries calls on the EFCC to ensure that these allegations are thoroughly investigated, while we also demand the immediate suspension of the minister.
Photo source: Bello Matawalle
