The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is currently probing Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, for “N70bn fraud”.
The anti-graft agency also confirmed that a former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, who was recently arrested by the operatives of the commission over alleged N22bn fraud is still in detention.
Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, made the disclosure at a press briefing on Thursday, urging Nigerians not to be swayed by Matawalle’s recent outburst.
Th governor had levelled allegations against Bawa and dared the commission to go after members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.
But Bawa, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Osita Nwajah, explained that the agency was not supposed to dignify Matawalle with a response but it did in order to set the record straight.
He said the governor diverted the money through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.
The anti-graft agency boss told reporters that the commission’s investigations so far revealed that more than 100 companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.
According to him, some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars.
The governor had levelled allegations against Bawa and dared the commission to go after members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.
However, in a swift reaction, the minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed played down the Matawalle’s call, saying it is his opinion.
But Bawa, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Osita Nwajah, said, “These claims ought not to be dignified with a response. What is at play here is a pure case of corruption fighting back. Matawalle’s outburst is product of paranoia- an uncomfortable exertion arising from the heat of EFCC’s lawful activities.
“However, for the sake of some gullible citizens who might be swayed by the governor’s sudden burst of crusading zest, a measured response has become imperative to expose Matawalle’ outburst for what it is, a hollow gambit to deflect attention from the real issue.
“The real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegation of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70billion.”
