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Tag: matawalle

  • Court stops EFCC from confiscating Matawalle’s Abuja property

    Court stops EFCC from confiscating Matawalle’s Abuja property

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, retrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from confiscating six property traced to Zamfara Governor, Bello Matawalle.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, hinged the order on Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution which grants absolute immunity to serving governors from civil and criminal proceedings.

    EFCC, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/709/22 had sued the owner of the six landed property.

    The property includes Plot 729, Idu Industrial Layout; Plot 1327, Cadastral Zone AO5, Maitama District; Plot 2934, Cadastral Zone, AO6, Maitama District and Plot 730, Cadastral Zone AO6, Maitama District.

    Others are Plot 28048, Cadastral Zone, Maitama District, and Plot 515, Cadastral Zone, BOO, Kukwaba District.

    The EFCC, in the suit, sought forfeiture of the six property to the Federal Government.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Ekwo held that the anti-graft agency lacked power to initiate any criminal proceedings against Matawalle while in office as governor.

    The judge agreed with Ahmed Raji, SAN, who appeared for Matawalle, that the criminal proceedings activated against the governor by EFCC was an abuse of court process in view of his insulation from criminal trial by immunity law.

    Ekwo had, on May 26, issued interim forfeiture order against the property in a ruling on EFCC’S ex-parte application, he however vacated the order based on the established ownership claim by the governor and the request for dismissal of the suit.

    The judge, while vacating the interim order agreed with Raji that the anti-graft agency lacked locus standi to initiate the suit for the forfeiture of the property of a serving governor.

    ”From the avalanche of evidence placed before the court,, there is no contest or dispute on the ownership of the properties.

    “And from the position of the law, especially Section 308 of the Constitution, EFCC has no other option than to wait till the end of tenure of office of the respondent.

    “The owner of the properties, having shown up and found to be a serving governor, protected by Section 308, EFCC’S suit is no longer sanctioned by law and any action, not sanctioned by law, is an abuse of court process,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety and directed EFCC to wait till the end of tenure of the governor to activate criminal court proceedings against him.

    EFCC had in the suit claimed that it received an intelligence report to the effect that governor Matawalle, on assumption of office, had been using the state’s fund to acquire multi-billion naira property in choice areas of Abuja.

    The governor was also alleged to have moved over N2.1 billion from the state’s Ministry of Finance to the Directorate of Investment and Business under his office and used some companies and Bureau De Change (BDC) to launder the money.

  • Zamfara gov signs death penalty for kidnappers, bandits and cultism

    Zamfara gov signs death penalty for kidnappers, bandits and cultism

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has signed into law a death penalty on anybody found guilty of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant.

     

    He made the announcement in a broadcast to the people of the state on Tuesday morning.

     

    He said: “On the 28th of June this year, I assented to the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.

     

    “The law provides a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders.

     

    “Based on the new law, anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant is subject to the death penalty.

     

    “Similarly, anyone found guilty of supporting in any manner the aforementioned offences faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or ten years in prison, without the option of a fine.”

     

    Matawalle stated that the measures were part of his administration’s unrelenting efforts to tackle the problem of banditry that has plagued the state and the neighbouring northwestern states for more than a decade.

     

    “Gladly, the latest measures are beginning to yield the intended results despite the pockets of attacks here and there by the bandits,” he stated.

     

    Metawalle described the activities of informants as a major change towards addressing insecurity challenges in the state, expressing optimism that the situation would soon come to an end.

     

    He said: “With regards to the issue of informants, which is the major impediment in the fight against banditry, I am glad to inform the peace-loving people of Zamfara State that we have succeeded in apprehending many of them.

     

    “They are currently being interrogated before being prosecuted in accordance with the fullest extent of the law.”

  • APC crisis: Stop washing our dirty linens in public, Matawalle cautions APC governors

    APC crisis: Stop washing our dirty linens in public, Matawalle cautions APC governors

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has pleaded with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors against washing their dirty linens in public glare over party’s crisis.

    The Zamfara Governor said this in a statement by Mr Zailani Bappa, his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications on Friday in Gusau.

    “It is not right for us to wash our dirty linens in the media, especially at this critical time of the party’s transformation as we move towards a decisive period in 2023.

    “I believe that each of us has been trying his best in his way to move the interest of our great party forward.

    “His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni has no doubt, contributed immensely to the promotion of the party’s fortunes and indeed all other governors who disagreed with one another.

    “However, we all disagree to agree. That is the beauty of democracy. There is no point in promoting disharmony among ourselves after disagreements are settled,” he said.

    Matawalle added: ”It is not wise to drag the name of His Excellency, Mr President into taking sides on issues that are ordinarily a normal political misunderstanding common to every collection of interests.

    “Now, more than ever before, the party needs the strength and unity to face the challenges ahead as we move towards the critical period of elections of which the party must maintain its supremacy at all levels.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his fatherly role in the party’s affairs.

    Matawalle applauded his colleagues for their contributions to the success of the party.

    “Together as one, we shall continue to conquer and prosper,” he said.

    Matawalle expressed reservation over alleged use of unprintable words by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state against his colleagues over the party’s crisis.

  • Zamfara: 95 students, 449 others rescued from bandits in three months – Matawalle

    Zamfara: 95 students, 449 others rescued from bandits in three months – Matawalle

    No fewer than 544 people abducted by bandits in the last three months have been rescued by security operatives in Zamfara State, authorities have said.

    The state governor, Bello Matawalle, disclosed this on Friday at an event held at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

    He explained that the victims, who included 95 students, were those rescued from bandits since the government announced a set of stringent measures on August 27 to further curb the activities of bandits troubling the peace in the state.

    A breakdown of the figure shows that 18 are students of the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura, 75 students are from the Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, while the remaining two are students from the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

    The security measures, Governor Matawalle explained, are intended to give security personnel the leeway in fighting bandits and the government’s action is progressively yielding results within the short period of time under review.

    He also disclosed that the security operatives have arrested many suspected bandits and their collaborators across the 14 local government areas of the state, as well as intercepted a large cache of alcoholic drinks and hard drugs meant for the criminals.

    “The new measures are taking much (toll on bandits), especially the shutting down of mobile telecommunications network for public security and safety which are the primary objective of a responsible government,” said the governor.

    He, however, cautioned residents against taking the laws into their hands – even in an obvious breach, saying the government would no longer condone the wanton killing of people in marketplaces, as was the case in the past.

    “Anybody caught breaking this rule will face the appropriate wrath of the law,” Governor Matawalle warned. “I, therefore, call on vigilante groups and concerned individuals to follow the rule of law and due process in addressing any issue that might arise in such situations.”

    He commended the security personnel operating in Zamfara for their efforts in dislodging bandits and their informants, as well as destroying their hideouts.

    The governor also thanked the residents for their cooperation and support to the military exercises and government programmes and project aimed at taking the state to greater heights.

    He called on traditional rulers and other community leaders to ensure that the new measures were monitored and tailored to success, to ensure a further relaxation in due course.

    At the event, Governor Matawalle swore in two new commissioners, 10 special advisers, eight permanent secretaries, and the newly appointed Auditor-General for the state.

    He asked the new officials, who were subjected to swearing with the Holy Quran dissociating themselves from banditry, to play their part in ensuring the return of peace to the state.

    The governor also announced the re-opening of selected markets in the state – all livestock markets in Gummi, Bagega, Danjibga, Kasuwar Daji, Tsafe, Talata-Mafara, and Nasarawar Godel.

  • Insecurity: Matawalle makes U-Turn; says no more dialogue, amnesty for bandits

    Insecurity: Matawalle makes U-Turn; says no more dialogue, amnesty for bandits

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, says his administration will no longer grant amnesty to bandits in the state.

    He explained that the decision became necessary since the bandits have failed to embrace the peace initiative earlier extended to them by the state government.

    Governor Matawalle stated this on Friday after attending the Jumat prayer at the Dalala Mosque in Gusau, the state capital.

    “They (bandits) sent a powerful committee to plead with us to cease fire and allow supply (of food and other essential commodities) but I refused,” said the governor who spoke in Hausa. “What we are doing to bandits is to send them to God, so they can answer their questions.”

    He asked residents to be patient and support the new security measures put in place by the government to flush out bandits and their collaborators, for peace to reign in Zamfara.

    According to the governor, bandits who are currently facing the heat of the superior fire of security operatives have sent some persons to inform him that they have repented.

    He added that the criminals were ready for a dialogue over the security situation in Zamfara, but it was too late for them to have a rethink.

    Governor Matawalle commended the security agencies for the successes recorded in the ongoing onslaught against the criminals in the state.

    He revealed that some of the bandits were running out of Zamfara to other states, as a result of the suffering imposed by the new security measures introduced by the state government to cut off the supply of food, petrol, and other essential commodities to them in the bush.

    The governor also challenged politicians to fear God and avoid buying motorcycles to distribute to people to sell to bandits, who use them to perpetrate their evil acts.

    “Politicians distributing motorcycles must stop, we will not dialogue again, we’ll continue to deal and fight with the bandits,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Zamfara is one of the worst-hit states by banditry in the North West where armed men have abducted hundreds of schoolchildren.

    The decision to stop pardoning bandits comes a week after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directed telecommunications providers to shut down services in Zamfara for a period of two weeks.

    NCC’s directive was to enable relevant security agencies carry out the required activities towards addressing the security challenges in the state, said a memo sent to one of the telecommunications providers.

    The document dated September 3 and signed by the Vice-Chairman of the agency, Professor Umar Danbatta, added that the shutdown period would end on September 17.

  • Declare State of Emergency on security, Matawalle urges FG

    Declare State of Emergency on security, Matawalle urges FG

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, has urged the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on security.

    The governor gave the advice when he received the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, Ali Janga, on a courtesy call on Wednesday in Gusau.

    Matawalle said declaring a state of emergency was the “only available avenue of ending the increasing security challenges at hand.”

    In a statement issued by Malam Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, the governor expressed concern over the incessant attacks on innocent communities in Zamfara and other states.

    He told the visiting AIG that the current wave of insecurity was alarming and getting out of hand, as such the need to declare a state of emergency on security in the country.

    “No one feels safe anymore and the only way to return the country on the path of sanity is to act out of the box,” he stressed.

    The governor commended the federal government and security operatives in the country for their commitment to the fight against banditry.

    He however said “extra effort is required to contain the growing security problems that are mounting by the day”.

    “The problem in Zamfara state is quite unique from those in other places and therefore require very careful and constructive solutions to control it,” he added.

    Matawalle told the AIG that his administration had never faltered in its support to security operatives and would continue to do so, to enable them succeed.

    Janga, who was accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkhana, commended Matawalle for his commitment to finding lasting solutions to the security problem in the state.

    Janga said that without the support rendered by the state government, the entire work of the police in the state would have collapsed. (

  • Insecurity: Zamfara governor wants state of emergency imposed on Northern Nigeria

    Insecurity: Zamfara governor wants state of emergency imposed on Northern Nigeria

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has called for a state of emergency in the northern part of the country over the security challenges in the region.

    He made the call on Wednesday at a meeting with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 10, Ali Janga, at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

    The governor who is seriously concerned about the series of attacks in many states in the region believes a declaration of a state of emergency will address the problem of insecurity in the North.

    Nigeria’s northern region comprises three geopolitical zones – North East, North West, and North-Central – and 19 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Over the years, parts of the region have been grappling with a series of criminal activities such as kidnapping, bombings, and attacks on communities as a result of insurgency and banditry.

    Before now, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the region while millions were forced to flee their ancestral homes.

    Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) are largely responsible for the incidents in the North East, while bandits have continued to engage in kidnapping for ransom in the North West and parts of the North Central.

    Schools and security formations have been targets for the criminals, and the latest is the attack on the Nigeria Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State.

    For some persons of concern, including Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, there is a strong connection between the terrorists and the bandits.

    Following the meeting with the senior police officer on Wednesday, Governor Matawalle briefed the people of the state on the present security situation in Zamfara.

    He assured them of his administration’s commitment to ensure safety in all parts of the state.

  • Governor Matawalle officially registers as APC member, receives membership card

    Governor Matawalle officially registers as APC member, receives membership card

    The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle has officially registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and received his membership card.

    Governor Matawalle received his membership card on Wednesday at his polling unit in Maradun South 001.

    Two former governors of the state, Senator Ahmad Bakura and Mahmud Shinkafi as well as two former deputies Ibrahim Muhammad and Muktar Anka witnessed the collection of his (Matawalle) membership card.

    Other notable personalities at the formal flagging off of the APC registration and revalidation of the membership card include Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Honourable Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, Engineer Abu Magaji and the Chief of Staff to the Speaker National Assembly, Rt. Hon Sanusi Garba Rikiji and the Speaker Zamfara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Nasiru Maazu Magarya.

    The exercise is scheduled to take place in all the 147 wards across the 14 local government areas of the state with the sole objective of registering new members who recently joined the party along with governor Matawalle

    Addressing the mammoth crowd shortly after receiving his membership card, governor Matawalle said the registration and revalidation exercise in the state is aimed at giving equal opportunity to all party members at all levels as prescribed in the party constitution.

    He said the development will allow internal democracy to thrive in the state to ensure party structures that will produce good leaders for the party.

    The governor also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of APC party faithful at the registration centres predicting that the party will draw over two million people in the state during the stipulated period.

    Matawalle also applauded the leadership qualities of the party at the National level under the President Muhammadu Buhari for creating enabling environment for the people of the state to register.

    He assured of uniting all the party members into one family that will speak with one strong and respected voice to be heard all over the country.

    The governor further assured of fairness, justice and an enabling environment for politicking in the party and promised to uphold and allow people to select leaders of their choice.

    He however noted that all these cannot happen without being a registered member of the party as provided by the constitution.

    Earlier in his welcome address the chairman of the state Caretaker Committee, Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha called on all members of the party in the state to come out enmass and register to become full members of the party.

    He described party membership as the most important tool for standing any election in the country

    Senator Nasiha also commended governor Matawalle for uniting party members in the state and ensuring that they work as a family at all levels.

    Presenting the membership card to the governor, Chairman of the Registration and Revalidation Exercise Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari said they were sent to the state by the APC National leadership to come to Zamfara and register new members as well as revalidate the registration of those with the membership card with a view of making the party more formidable and accommodating to all interests.

    He assured that his Committee will carry out the exercise as required by the party constitution for the purpose of having a united political party in Zamfara State.

    He further said, the members of the committee were people of proven integrity whose sole objective is to register all eligible party members for the purpose of cooperation, unity, and development of the party and its supporters.

    Ibrahim Kabir Masari said the registration exercise should be done diligently and with utmost urgency so that Zamfara State delegates will fully participate in the forthcoming APC National convention

    The event was attended by all the three senators from the state, Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha, Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura and Senator Lawal Hassan Dan-Iya, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Members of National and State Assemblies, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Directors General, party members and large turnout supporters among others.

  • Matawalle suspends Joint Task Force in Zamfara

    Matawalle suspends Joint Task Force in Zamfara

    The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle has approved the immediate suspension of all the activities of the Joint Task Force on Zamfara State Road Traffic Agency (ZAROTA) headed by Col. Rabiu Garba Yandoto (rtd).

    According to a statement signed by a State Government spokesperson, Yusuf Gusau, the action followed the protest of the Tricycle Riders Association in the state last week while the governor was away in Abuja for an official engagement

    Yusuf said the governor has also directed for a full scale investigation into the circumstances that led to the protest with a view to advising the government on how best to restructure the agency for the overall interest of the people of the state.

    “The governor has also approved the suspension of all the activities of the agency pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement said.

    “The joint task force is hereby directed to hand over all government properties in its possession to the office of the Secretary to the State Government with immediate effect.”

  • No responsible leadership in Northern Nigeria – Gov Matawalle

    No responsible leadership in Northern Nigeria – Gov Matawalle

    Governor Mohammed Matawalle has lamented that the North lacks responsible leadership to steer it through troubled waters the region finds itself, as its ruling elite have no vision for the region beyond gaining political power.

    The governor also warned that banditry ravaging the Northwestern region of Nigeria can swallow the entire country if necessary measures are not taken to curb the menace.

    He, however, said that agelong injustice and leadership failure were responsible for the banditry ravaging the region, and not the much-talked-about mining in Zamfara.

    Matawalle stated this in Kaduna, while presenting a lead paper entitled “The Fight Against Banditry in Northwest Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions” during the inauguration of the new executives of Arewa Media Writers’ Association held at Kabir Gymnasium.

    Represented by his Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the Governor also described lack of support from a section of political elite interested in taking advantage of the crises to score political points and reluctance by affected ”states” to embrace peace dialogue as bottlenecks to ending banditry and other related crimes in the region.

    “When I assumed office on May 29, 2019, Zamfara State had already been mired in a serious security crisis for over a decade, marked by banditry, livestock rustling, kidnapping, and a host of other crimes. On an almost daily basis, the state was in the news for bloodletting, fire, pillage, and significant displacement of people, particularly those living in rural areas.

    “The historical, economic, social and cultural ties between the dominant communities of Fulani and Hausa were ruptured; farming activities across the state were halted, and commercial activities were crippled.

    “With poverty on the increase and food security seriously affected by the crisis, the state was on the verge of a catastrophic social eruption capable of destabilising our communities and the Northwest sub-region.

    “Rural banditry in Zamfara and other parts of the North, in my opinion, is as a result of the progressive degradation of our moral standards and a culture of greed fed by an unfettered need for material goods.

    “The North lacks responsible leadership to steer it through our time’s uncharted waters. Our ruling elite have no vision for the region beyond gaining political power. We have all seen how the elite in the Southeast and Southwest respond in unison to all matters concerning their regions’ development.

    “We have seen how they have a defined agenda and are relentless in their pursuit of regional development.

    “Unless we wake up to the situation, the war against banditry in the Northwest will remain a significant security challenge that has the potential to swallow the region and the country. The destruction that banditry is wreaking on the region’s people and the economy is unfathomable,” he said.

    The Governor said part of the efforts made by his administration to combat banditry in Zamfara was trying to understand the root cause of the conflict.

    He said it was discovered that rural banditry in Zamfara and other parts of the North is a result of “progressive degradation of our moral standards and a culture of greed fed by an unfettered need for material good. The culture of cattle raiding by pastoralist groups is not something new. It was practised in the days gone by to demonstrate courage and bravery, and no violence was used.

    He, however, appealed to Northern leaders to “wake up from their lethargy and unite in combating this grave challenge. We need to get to the roots of the situation, stop politicising it and act decisively.”