Group Seeks Immediate Suspension Of Matawalle As Minister Over Alleged Corruption And Terror Sponsorship
Group Seeks Immediate Suspension Of Matawalle As Minister Over Alleged Corruption And Terror Sponsorship
The group has given an ultimatum of November 16 to suspend and probe Matawalle
An organization known as, Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend Bello Matawalle as the Minister of State for Defence.
The organisation also urged the President to direct the anti-corruption body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged misappropriation of Zamfara State resources by Matawalle, who is the immediate past governor of the state.
In a letter dated November 8, 2023 and addressed to Tinubu, the Global Coordinator of the group, Comrade Frederick Omoyoma Odorige, made reference to an interview granted to Arewa Twitter by the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, in which he accused Matawalle of sponsoring terrorism and misappropriating public funds.
The organisation therefore urged President Tinubu to ensure that Matawalle is “immediately suspended from office and prosecuted”.
It also urged the President to “kindly direct EFCC to investigate the huge misappropriation of the resources of the people of Zamfara State as firmly alleged”.
It asked the President to probe “why and how the State Security Service cleared Matawalle for ministerial appointment against these weighty allegations”.
In the letter copied to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the organisation, said, “We write to you with reference to the very strong indictments made by the Zamfara State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, against Bello Muhammad Matawalle, your Minister of State for Defence, who was also the former governor of Zamfara state.
“Gajam stated categorically, that Matawalle ‘granted asylum at the Government House to bandits… How can someone who granted asylum to bandits be a Minister of Defence? He was distributing Hilux vans to bandits but could not invest in mass transit for the people of his state.’
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“These weighty allegations mean that the activities of Matawalle pose huge danger to national and regional security. Though the terrorists of Matawalle may have their base in Zamfara state, they might also have extended their murderous activities to other states of the federation.
“Recall that 63,111 Nigerians were killed during the administration of your predecessor. 1,228 of our compatriots were killed within the first quarter of 2023 and at least 900 persons were kidnapped.
“The number is still counting under your administration. Their criminal network may not be unconnected with the unresolved disappearance of 178,459 arms and ammunition from the armoury of the Nigerian police.
“Most of the huge sums of money budgeted into security go into the drain because terrorism and the blood of our people is now a big business for some persons in and out of government. Our compatriots are slaughtered and given mass burials while villages are being razed. Now, millions of our compatriots have become refugees in their country. “In realisation of this, the Niger state governor just established a refugee commission to address the problems of Internally Displaced Persons. In some parts of Nigeria, our citizens reportedly pay taxes to terrorists – including Niger state.
“As you and the Vice President travel the world to woo foreign investors, the results may be counter-productive when these countries discuss that your government protects terrorists. No matter what Matawalle spent on your election campaign, the interest of the country must come first.
“As chairman of ECOWAS, it is a regional security risk if you continue to sustain the appointment of a sponsor of terrorism as minister of state for defence. It also means that national resources and classified information will be freely shared with terrorists.
“Recall that the US government sanctioned six Nigerian sponsors of terrorism who were named by the government of the United Arab Emirates. Till date, the suspects have been shielded by the Nigerian government from prosecution. Now, the case of Matawalle has further exposed the decadence.
“Sir, we hope that our letter will not be ignored. We may need to take further actions on the international front after 16 November 2023.
“We believe that you shall use your good office to do the needful for the security of our country,” the letter added.
Group Seeks Immediate Suspension Of Matawalle As Minister Over Alleged Corruption And Terror Sponsorship
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