The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday revealed that it is investigating the outgoing Zamfara State governor, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, for allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
The commission declared that its investigation of the governor was a 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”.
Matawalle had on Tuesday levelled allegations of corruption in assets disposal and plea bargain procedure against EFCC and its Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa and dared the anti-corruption commission to go after President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers.
Reacting to the Zamfara governor’s allegations while addressing journalists at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, said the anti-graft agency ought not to dignify the governor with a response but “for the sake of some gullible citizens who might be swayed by the governor’s sudden burst of crusading zest”.
According to him, “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.”
Nwajah said it was not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate who EFCC should arrest, when and where, adding that the governor wanted to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate.
