By Khadija Abdullahi, Kaduna
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under intense scrutiny from the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) over what the group describes as a deliberate delay in investigating former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, in connection with alleged mismanagement of N290 billion during his tenure.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, CNF Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani, accused the anti-graft agency of foot-dragging despite multiple petitions submitted by civil society organisations detailing alleged financial infractions committed between 2019 and 2023.
Sani said the EFCC’s silence, more than a year after it publicly acknowledged investigating the former governor, is raising doubts about the commission’s independence and commitment to tackling corruption involving high-profile individuals.
“We have seen the EFCC take bold steps against some former governors and public officials. But in this case, the continued silence is deeply troubling. Who is shielding Matawalle from accountability?” he asked.
The group said its petitions, submitted in May and September 2024, were supported by financial documents and loan records that point to large-scale misappropriation of federal allocations and borrowed funds under Matawalle’s administration.
Sani recalled that the EFCC had, in a statement issued in May 2023, confirmed it was probing the former governor over allegations bordering on phantom contracts and diversion of public funds. He expressed concern that no meaningful update has been provided since then.
“It is disturbing that after all the public statements from the EFCC, the matter appears to have gone cold. If there is genuine political will to fight corruption, cases like this must not be swept under the carpet,” he added.
The forum also faulted Matawalle for what it described as attempts to mislead the public regarding the funds received by his administration, accusing him of trying to rewrite history.
CNF called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that anti-corruption agencies are not compromised by political interference.
“We demand transparency and accountability. The law must apply to everyone, regardless of status,” Sani said.
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