Corruption: Group lodges fresh petition, urges EFCC to reopen investigation against Matawalle

Saddened by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s foot-dragging in investigation of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle over alleged corruption, some protesters, All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance, arrived at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday to submit their petition against Matawalle.

A copy of the petition by the group made available to journalists on Friday and which was signed by the convener, Mohammed Ireti, he expressed concerns that the EFCC has not commenced a thorough investigation into the allegation of graft against the ex-governor of Zamfara State and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

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Ireji urged the anti-graft agency to reopen investigation into corruption allegation against the Minister to save credibility of the agency against compromise.

He said: “Many petitions were submitted at the headquarters of the commission, notable ones submitted by the APC Akida Forum on May 3rd, 2024, and a follow-up petition on September 30th, 2024, urging the commission to proceed with its investigation of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle. “We have lauded the performance and resilience of the EFCC leadership in its fight against corruption without bias many times. The commission has shown determination and persistence in addressing corrupt officials, particularly by promptly taking action against former minister Betta Edu and others.

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“We have witnessed the commission launch an investigation into the alleged corruption of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Last year, the commissioner arrested former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State over alleged corruption. 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 is not a governor now. Who is stopping EFCC from doing its work?

“We are confident that the EFCC has access to all the facts regarding financial crimes in the country.”

However, while receiving the petition, the Acting Director of Security, EFCC, Idowu Adedeji, said necessary steps would be taken on the petition.

He said, “We have received your petition today and we will submit it accordingly to the appropriate quarters. Thank you for your visit.”

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