Alleged N70b Fraud: We Have Not Declared Ex-Zamfara State Gov Matawalle Wanted – EFCC 

Abdulazeez Abdulwahab 

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted reports in some sections of the media suggesting that the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Bello Matawalle has been declared wanted by the Commission over allegation of alleged N70b fraud:

The anti-graft commission in a statement on Sunday, described as untrue a report by a newspaper with headquarters in Ibadan which while quoting unnamed “security sources” also claimed that the Commission had requested the Department of State Service (DSS) to arrest him (Matawalle), “anywhere he is seen”.

According to the statement, “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 a standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating same to the public, not through faceless “security sources”.

Mallam Matawalle had in weeks leading to his exit from the Zamfara State Government House engaged in heated claims and counterclaims with the now-suspended chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa. While Mr Bawa claimed the then governor was been investigated for corrupt practices, Mallam Matawalle alleged he was been blackmailed for refusing to part with a Two Million Dollars bribe request by Mr Bawa. Mr Bawa has since been suspended and undergoing interrogation by DSS operatives. 

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