The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the decision of the Federal High Court dismissing the appeal filed by former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, over ownership of official vehicles recovered from him after leaving office in 2023.
In June 2023, following a petition from the Zamfara State Government, police raided Matawalle’s residence, seizing more than 40 vehicles allegedly taken away by the ex-governor and his cabinet before handing over power on May 29, 2023.
Delivering judgment on August 8, 2025, Justice A.M. Talba, leading a three-member panel, ruled unanimously that Matawalle’s appeal lacked merit.
Court: Police acted within the law
The appellate court maintained that the decision of the Federal High Court, Sokoto division, which upheld the right of the Nigeria Police to investigate allegations of crime, was correct.
It stressed that Matawalle failed to present credible evidence to prove ownership of the 40 vehicles, and therefore, could not claim a breach of his fundamental right to own property.
According to the Zamfara State Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the court’s ruling confirmed that the vehicles rightfully belong to the Zamfara State Government.
Failed attempts at recovery
In June 2023, the Zamfara government directed Matawalle and his deputy to return the vehicles within five working days. However, the former officials allegedly ignored the directive.
This prompted the state to obtain a court order that allowed police to recover the vehicles. Over 40 were seized after enforcement actions were carried out.
Matawalle then approached the Federal High Court in Gusau, which initially ordered the cars to be returned to him. He also filed another suit to enforce his property rights over the same vehicles.
Legal battle shifts to Sokoto
The Zamfara government requested a transfer of the case to the Federal High Court, Sokoto division, which dismissed Matawalle’s suits in December 2023.
The court held that none of the reliefs he sought were justifiable, affirming the government’s ownership of the vehicles.
Not satisfied, the former governor proceeded to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the decision.
But the appellate judges firmly upheld the lower court’s ruling, giving the Zamfara State Government legal backing to retain the vehicles.
Appeal Court final position
The Appeal Court stressed that the process followed by the state government in retrieving the vehicles was lawful and did not violate Matawalle’s rights, as alleged.
It further ruled that the ex-governor could not use claims of fundamental rights as a shield against lawful investigation and possible prosecution.
With the latest ruling, the long-standing legal tussle over the seized vehicles appears settled in favour of the Zamfara State Government.
