The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been presented with a new petition demanding the revival of investigations into corruption allegations against the Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
The latest petition was delivered on Friday, May 9, 2025, by members of the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance, who staged a demonstration at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
The group’s convener, Mohammed Ireji, voiced his dissatisfaction with the Commission’s handling of the matter, citing what he believes to be an unwarranted delay in addressing the allegations despite multiple previous petitions.
“We are here today to formally request that the EFCC reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle,” Ireji stated.
He referenced earlier petitions, notably one from the APC Akida Forum dated May 3, 2024, followed by a subsequent submission on September 30, 2024, both urging action on the matter.
The group insisted that Matawalle should not be exempt from investigation, particularly as other high-profile figures have been subjected to scrutiny.
“We have commended the EFCC’s commitment to fighting corruption in the past, particularly in its handling of cases involving former Minister Betta Edu, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State. So why the delay in Matawalle’s case?” they questioned.
Receiving the document, EFCC’s Acting Director of Security, Idowu Adedeji, gave assurance that the petition would be processed accordingly.
“We have received your petition today and we will submit it accordingly. Thank you for your visit,” Adedeji said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Minister of State for Defence has yet to issue any public response to the renewed allegations or the demand for further investigation.
