The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a new petition demanding the reopening of investigations into alleged corruption involving the Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
The petition, submitted on Friday, May 9, 2025, was delivered by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Young Leaders Alliance during a peaceful protest at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The protesters, led by the group’s convener Mohammed Ireji, accused the EFCC of stalling on the corruption allegations against Matawalle despite multiple petitions dating back to 2024.
“We are here today to formally request that the EFCC reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle,” Ireji said in a statement.
He referenced petitions submitted by the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and a follow-up on September 30, 2024, both calling for a thorough investigation of the former governor.
EFCC’s past actions lauded
The group praised the Commission’s handling of other high-profile cases, including actions taken against former Minister Betta Edu, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.
“If these former officials were not above the law, who is shielding Matawalle?” Ireji queried, urging the EFCC to demonstrate consistency and impartiality in its anti-corruption efforts.
EFCC promises to process petition
While receiving the document, the Acting Director of Security at the EFCC, Idowu Adedeji, assured the protesters that their petition would be forwarded to the relevant department for further action.
“We have received your petition today and we will submit it accordingly. Thank you for your visit,” Adedeji stated.
As of the time of filing this report, Matawalle has not issued any public statement in response to the latest petition or the renewed allegations.
