Northern group, Matawalle clash over alleged N528bn embezzlement

Matawalle

A face-off has erupted between the Concerned Northern Forum and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over allegations of embezzling over N528bn during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

The group, led by its chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Sani, at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, accused Matawalle of mismanaging funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, Joint Account Allocation Committee, and domestic loans.

But in a swift reaction, Suleiman Shuaibu, who served as Matawalle’s Special Adviser on Bilateral and Multilateral Affairs, dismissed the allegations, describing the group as “faceless.”

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Sani, expressed frustration that despite submitting petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission—including those dated May 3, 2024, and September 30, 2024—the commission had yet to act.

“We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of naira. These are not mere allegations or speculations. We thought the investigation would reopen after our last visit to the commission’s headquarters, but nothing has happened,” Sani said.

He stated that Matawalle must explain the whereabouts of N290bn from FAAC, N133bn from JAAC, and N105bn in loans accessed during his tenure.

“The money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank, purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.”

Sani maintained that Matawalle, despite his current federal role, should be held accountable.

“If all these former governors and ministers were not above the law and the EFCC, who would shield the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle from investigation?” he queried.