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Tag: matawalle

  • Katsina Elders’ Forum not speaking for North – Matawalle

    Katsina Elders’ Forum not speaking for North – Matawalle

    The views of Katsina Elders’ Forum has been described as not reflecting the position of Northern Nigeria on the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that it was wrong for the elders to make such statements.

    The former Zamfara governor said that what Northern Nigeria needs now is the security of lives and property, which the President is committed to provide.

    He also warned that anything capable of truncating the nation’s democracy and setting the North against other regions would not be tolerated by the government.

    The forum had issued a warning to Tinubu over the decision of his administration to relocate some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria to Lagos.

    It also disagreed with the relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the issue of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport expansion project in Katsina.

    The elders had asked the President to reverse the decisions or risk losing the support of the North in the 2027 general election.

    Matawalle described the threat by the forum as an empty one and contrived to cause hatred, disunity, and to set Northern Nigeria against their brothers and sisters from other parts of the country.

    “President Tinubu is for all Nigerians and he has no interest or agenda against any of the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    “The Renewed Hope Agenda of the president is geared towards setting things right for the realisation of maximum economic development, security, and welfare of all Nigerians,” he said.

    The minister said that the elders have lost their people’s confidence when they failed to support the aspiration of their own to win the state for All Progressives Congress party in 2023.

    “Do Katsina elders have the right to speak on behalf of Northern people? How can the elders who failed to support the President and their own, the former President Muhammadu Buhari to win Katsina State, make such a reckless statement on behalf of Northern people?

    “Katsina elders have forgotten how they betrayed Buhari and President Tinubu by their failure to ensure that President Tinubu wins the majority of votes in their state in the 2023 presidential election.”

    He urged the elders not to truncate the existing peace and harmony between the north and other regions through such statements.

    “When former President Buhari’s Minister of Transportation decided to locate the Transportation University in the former President’s hometown, Daura, other Nigerians did not protest against that decision.

    “(This is because) they believed it was in the interest of unity and peaceful coexistence of the country.

    “I, therefore, strongly advise the Katsina elders to think twice and stop heating up the polity, but rather concentrate on what binds Nigerians and Nigeria as an entity for the development of our dear country,” the Minister said.

  • FG to investigate corrupt allegations against Naval chief

    FG to investigate corrupt allegations against Naval chief

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has pledged to investigate the corrupt allegations against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information, Press and Public Relations of the ministry.

    According to Ogubike, Matawalle said this while responding to the allegation against the Naval Chief.

    Matawalle noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had a zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.

    “Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “The allegations leveled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious,” he said.

    He harped on thorough investigation saying that it was imperative to emphasise the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims.

    Speaking on the source of information, the minister said “We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable.

    “At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity, and accuracy.

    “Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.”

    He further assured the public that in the light of the allegation, the ministry would collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

    “We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.

    “It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security.

    “We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law,” he further said.

    Within the week, an online media platform had raised serious allegations against the Naval Chief.

    The medium had alleged Ogalla’s involvement in multibillion-naira oil bunkering, and contract-splitting fraud.

  • Alleged N70b fraud: EFCC debunks report of declaring Ex-Zamfara gov. Matawalle wanted

    Alleged N70b fraud: EFCC debunks report of declaring Ex-Zamfara gov. Matawalle wanted

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has debunked the purported report of declaring Ex-Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle Wanted.

    EFCC on Sunday, in it verified Facebook account, said the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency,

    The Commission wrote: “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 has standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating same to the public, not through faceless “security sources”.

  • Zamfara: Police returns ex-gov Matawalle’s vehicles

    Zamfara: Police returns ex-gov Matawalle’s vehicles

    Zamfara state police Command on Saturday said it had returned all vehicles seized from former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar confirmed the development on Saturday via telephone conversation with News Agency of Nigeria.

    Abubakar said the vehicles were returned in compliance with the order of Federal High Court sitting in Gusau.

    The court, presided by Justice Aminu Bappah-Aliyu had on June 15, ordered all security agencies that removed the vehicles from Matawalle’s houses in Gusau and Maradun, to return them within 48 hours.

    Recall that security operatives removed the vehicles from the two houses on the order of the State government.

    The court gave all parties involved in the invasion of the former governor’s houses 48 hours to comply with the order.

    “Yes, the police command has complied with the court order as regards to returning of all vehicles belonging to the former governor, Bello Matawalle.

    “We have returned all the vehicles to the premises of Federal High Court, Gusau, as I speak to you now, no single vehicle is in police custody,” Abubakar said.

    The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents in the suit filed by Matawalle from taking any further action in connection with the matter.

    The respondents include the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and Commissioner of Police, Zamfara.

    Others are the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    The court further ordered the security agencies to stay away from all actions, pending the hearing and determination of the matter before it.

     

  • Police comply with court order, return Matawalle’s vehicles

    Police comply with court order, return Matawalle’s vehicles

    The Zamfara Police Command on Saturday said it had returned all vehicles it seized from the former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar confirmed the development on Saturday.

    Abubakar said the vehicles were returned in compliance with the order of Federal High Court sitting in Gusau.

    The court, presided by Justice Aminu Bappah-Aliyu had on June 15, ordered all security agencies that removed the vehicles from Matawalle’s houses in Gusau and Maradun, to return them within 48 hours.

    Security operatives removed the vehicles from the two houses on the order of the State government.

    The court gave all parties involved in the invasion of the former governor’s houses 48 hours to comply with the order.

    “Yes, the police command has complied with the court order as regards to returning of all vehicles belonging to the former governor, Bello Matawalle.

    “We have returned all the vehicles to the premises of Federal High Court, Gusau, as I speak to you now, no single vehicle is in police custody,” Abubakar said.

    The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents in the suit filed by Matawalle from taking any further action in connection with the matter.

    The respondents include the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and Commissioner of Police, Zamfara.

    Others are the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    The court further ordered the security agencies to stay away from all actions, pending the hearing and determination of the matter before it.

    Mr Suleiman Idris, spokesperson to Gov.  Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, had earlier said more than 40 vehicles were recovered from the two houses of the former governor.

    He also confirmed that the security agencies took the action on the directive of the state government.

    NAN

  • Political vengeance: Police storm ex-Gov Matawalle’s house recover govt properties(Photo)

    Political vengeance: Police storm ex-Gov Matawalle’s house recover govt properties(Photo)

    Political vengeance seems to be on the upsurge particularly in states that there was transition.

    The Zamfara State government has ordered a raid on the residence of the immediate-past governor of the State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, and impounded some vehicles believed to belong to government.

    Some Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were impounded on Friday during a raid of Matawalle’s residence in Gusau.

    Recall that, speaking on a local radio station, incumbent Governor Dauda Lawal had said, “Former Governor Bello Matawalle had gone away with 17 vehicles from his office and those in the deputy governor’s office claiming that the vehicles are his personal belongings. In fact, not even office equipment were spared.”

    According to a report, a total of four jeeps were seized.

    Policemen were said to have stormed the former governor’s residence, which is not far from Government House in Gusau, the State capital.

    Governor Lawal had accused Matawalle of leaving with government vehicles and looting property including television and cookers from the State Government House and the State Liason Office in Abuja.

    Last Saturday, Lawal gave Matawalle an ultimatum of five days to return the vehicles allegedly taken away by officials of his administration.

    Lawal, who gave the ultimatum via a statement issued by his spokesman, Sulaiman Idris, vowed to recover looted funds and properties of the state government.

    We have the facts and records available that expose Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of N1,149,800,000. The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. Ltd.

    The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021; and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.

    “We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five working days,” he stated.


    Source: Leadership

  • Provide evidence against Bawa not blackmail – Atiku’s aide tells Matawalle

    Provide evidence against Bawa not blackmail – Atiku’s aide tells Matawalle

    Daniel Bwala, one of the spokesmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has to an allegation raised against the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State had accused Bawa of begging him for $2 million.

    Bwala described the accusation as an attempt to blackmail to the anti-graft agency boss.

    In an interview with BBC Hausa, the governor claimed he was being investigated because he “didn’t offer the EFCC chairperson the money he requested from him.”

    The EFCC, however, dismissed the claim, stressing that it would not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.

    Reacting to the development, Bwala said the attempt to blackmail Bawa was shameful.

    Tweeting, Bwala wrote: “If you want to remove Bawa as EFCC chair, at least be honourable about it and do that honorably.

    “The idea that outgoing governors and cabinet people are being investigated so you instigate one of the suspects to blackmail him is, to say the least, shameful.

    “Bawa, apart from improving upon the successes of Magu, has taken the commission to a more professional outfit where he draws accolades from far and near and deserves honor, not blackmail.

    “If you have evidence against him, follow the due process of the law rather than blackmail.”

  • EFCC probes Matawalle over alleged N70bn fraud

    EFCC probes Matawalle over alleged N70bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is probing  Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara over alleged N70 billion fraud.

    The EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, represented by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Osita Nwaja,  said this at news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

    This development came days after Matawalle accused the EFCC of bias in selecting who to investigate, leaving others as sacred cows.

    Matawalle had urged the EFCC to probe people working with President Muhammadu Buhari, including cabinet ministers.

    He accused the anti-graft office of being too timid to go after people loyal to the president.

    The EFCC boss, however, said that the claim of  the governor was just an attempt to cast aspersion on the integrity of the EFCC’s fight against corruption.

    He accused Matawalle of making farcical allegations of corruption in assets disposal and plea bargain procedure, among others.

    ” What is at play here is a pure case of corruption fighting back. Matawalle’s outburst is a product of paranoia, an uncomfortable exertion arising from the heat of EFCC’s lawful activities.

    ”But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegation of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.

    ”The money which was sourced as loan from an old generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state.

    ”It was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts  that were not executed,” he said.

    Bawa said that the EFCC investigation had become the source of anxiety in Government House, Gusau, with the governor in mortal dread of his fate once he steps down as governor on May 29.

    He said the governor would have been in the EFCC custody but for the immunity clause.

    ” In Nigeria, state governors and their deputies enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, a reason the EFCC has yet to arrest Governor Matawalle.”

    Bawa said that the Commission’s investigations so far, revealed that more than 100 companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.

    ”Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers to him.

    ”This was done through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars.

    ”They confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamafara state but were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollar.

    ” And, return to the State governor through some of his commissioners, notably the Commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs, ” he said.

    According to the EFCC chairman, one of the contractors, a popular Abuja property developer, collected N6 billion on a N10 billion contract without rendering any service to Zamfara.

    ” Another contractor collected over N3 billion for a contract for the supply of medical equipment but the Commission traced a payment of N400million from his account to a Bureau de Change operator.

    ”The contractor confessed the payment was to procure the dollar equivalent allegedly for the state governor,” he said.

    Bawa further said as part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, the commission had recovered N300 million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited.

    He said that the funds were allegedly traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.

    According to him, 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 class.

    “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,” he said.

  • Court dismisses PDP suit seeking disqualification of Gov Matawalle, Yari, Marafa, others

    Court dismisses PDP suit seeking disqualification of Gov Matawalle, Yari, Marafa, others

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s suit seeking the disqualification of Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and other All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, dismissed the suit on the ground that it was incompetent and constituted an abuse of court process.

    PDP had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1622/2022, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Matawalle and his deputy, Mohammed Gusau Hassan as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    The party also sued all the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in the state.

    Former governor Abdulaziz Yari, who is vying for the senatorial seat and ex-lawmaker, Kabir Marafa were joined as 5th and 7th defendants, among other 38th defendants listed in the originating summons.

    The PDP, in the motion, asked the court to determine whether the APC, which adopted the indirect mode of primaries for the selection and nomination of its choice of candidates shall democratically elect delegates to vote at its convention, congress, conference or meeting convened to nominate candidates for elections into any elective office.

    It said the question was upon a proper construction and interpretation of the combined provisions of Section 84 (1), (2), (5) & (8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and other enabling laws in that behalf.

    The party, therefore, sought an order nullifying the purported sponsorship and/or nomination of the 3rd to 38th defendants by the APC (2nd defendant) to INEC for the 2023 general elections into the respective positions of the elective offices in Zamfara.

    It also sought an order of injunction restraining INEC from according to recognition to APC and all its candidates in the Feb. 25 and March 11 polls, among others.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Ekwo upheld all the preliminary objections raised by APC and its candidates.

    The judge agreed with the defence that the provision of Section 285 (14) (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which the PDP relied on as giving them the locus standi (legal right) in the case did not avail them.

    According to him, this means there is no iota of law that supports this action.

    Justice Ekwo said he had also found that the plaintiff was not an aspirant in the APC primaries by virtue of Section 84(14) and 152 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The judge, who held that no law supported the filing of the case, said he found that the suit constituted an abuse of court process.

    He also agreed with the defence that the suit was statue barred, having been filed outside the 14 days of the cause of action as prescribed the law.

    Justice Ekwo, consequently, dismissed the suit.

  • Matawalle condoles with affected families as 213 bodies of Zamfara terrorists recovered

    Matawalle condoles with affected families as 213 bodies of Zamfara terrorists recovered

    Governor Bello Matawalle condoles affected families as 213 bodies, comprising that of terrorists and their collaborators have been recovered days after intense exchanges of gunfire between Nigerian troops and terrorists in some Zamfara communities.

    It was that gathered that the military also lost 10 personnel while some civilians were killed when bandits fled toward the communities.

    This is just as the air component and ground troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recorded a major victory after eliminating terrorists in Malele Village of Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    Aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, and ground troops of the Nigerian Army, sustained a well-coordinated joint operation since last Saturday.

    Terrorist activities in the area have been exacerbated due to the lingering crisis between Hausas and Fulanis over the devouring of farm produce thereby making the area very volatile, especially in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council.

    A defence intelligence operative revealed that the security services mobilized their troops in launching a series of attacks and airstrikes against those warring bandits coming from different parts of the country.

    “Both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations are yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being eliminated as the battle is still on.

    “Bandits who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilian lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location while the ground troops cleared the fleeing bandits in their escape bids,” the operative had said.

    But in an update on Tuesday, sources in the community disclosed that 10 soldiers paid the supreme price while their colleagues, pounded the terrorists.

    “At least we counted 213 bodies of the bandit terrorists and their collaborators. Some civilians too were killed in what the military called ‘collateral damage’ when fleeing bandits hid in the communities.

    “The attack on troops occurred when the troops with the support of local vigilantes were navigating the terrains for counter-attacks.”

    In his condolence message, Governor Bello Matawalle, through his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims earlier caught in military fire against the marauding bandits.

    “I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, the state Government and the entire good people of Zamfara state, extend my sincere sympathy to those who were injured and the families of those who died as a result of this collateral damage,” the governor said.