BREAKING: Protest Hits EFCC HQ Over Probe of Alleged N70bn Fraud Levelled Against Tinubu’s Minister

• Members of the APC loyalists forum protested at the headquarters of the EFCC on Friday, May 3
• The protesters asked the Ola Olukoyede-led agency to reopen a funds diversion case against Bello Matawalle, the current minister of state for defence
• TheTalk.NG reports that pictures and a video of the dissatisfied APC supporters surfaced on the internet

TheTalk.NG journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja – Some protesters from Zamfara state have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigations on Nigeria’s minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle.

As reported by The Nation on Friday, May 3, the demonstrators, under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists forum, occupied the entrance to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja.

Protesters storm EFCC office over Matawalle’s case. Photo credits: @Waspapping_, @Bellomatawalle1Source: Twitter

They urged the EFCC to investigate all petitions against the former Zamfara governor, including the alleged contract diversion up to the tune of N70 billion during his time as the No.1 citizen of the state.

Channels Television also noted the development.

Matawalle: EFCC receives protesters’ letter

Meanwhile, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC‘s director of public affairs, received a protest letter on behalf of the chairman of the anti-graft agency, Olukoyede.

Uwujaren assured the protesters that the commission is determined to pursue every alleged corruption case to a logical conclusion.

See some photos and video from the protest below:

It would be recalled that in May 2023, the EFCC disclosed that Matawalle is being investigated over the alleged diversion of N70 billion from the Zamfara state treasury.

The EFCC alleged that Matawalle diverted the money through proxies and contractors.

In January 2024, the EFCC said the minister’s case would be reviewed. However, no significant update has been provided by the EFCC since then.

More to read about Bello Matawalle

Bawa demanded bribe from me, Matawalle

Meanwhile, Matawalle fumed at the EFCC’s allegation.

According to him, the EFCC boss at the time, Abdulrasheed Bawa, demanded a $2 million bribe.

The APC chieftain and ally of President Bola Tinubu stated that Bawa had questions to answer on alleged corruption.

Source: TheTalk.NG

“What We Want Clearly”: Gov Sule Opens Up on Tinubu’s Proposed Sharing Formula

Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa state, has said the 19 northern governors were not against President Bola Tinubu Sule maintained that it would not make any sense for the north that worked effortlessly to ensure that President Tinubu emerged victorious would now turn against him However, the Nasarawa state governor maintained that the governors ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Groups Warn as Nigeria Invests Over $40m in Intercept Tech, $583m in Surveillance

A recent report by a civil society organization revealed that Nigeria has invested around $40 million in intercept technology and $583 million in public surveillance S4C’s Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, criticized Nigeria’s surveillance practices as a legacy of colonial frameworks Ibezim-Ohaeri also warned of potential abuses in Nigeria’s use of dual-purpose surveillance technologies FCT, Abuja ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Just In: Sanwo-Olu Files Lawsuit Against EFCC? Lagos Gov Finally Opens Up

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, has denied the report that his government filed a lawsuit against the EFCC against a planned prosecution after leaving office Lawal Pedro, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, made the clarification in a statement, adding that the EFCC is not investigating the governor There was an ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Appeal Court Reserves Judgement on Ramon Adedoyin’s Death Sentence in Timothy Adegoke’s Murder

The Court of Appeal in Akure has reserved judgment on the appeal by Ramon Adedoyin, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Timothy Adegoke Adedoyin, found guilty by an Osun State High Court along with two hotel staff members, is challenging the verdict based on circumstantial evidence During Tuesday’s hearing, the prosecution argued ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Reps Give Reasons Why Top Lawmaker Who Assaulted Bolt Driver May Not Be Suspended, Details Emerge

A viral video has ignited public outrage in Nigeria, allegedly showing Representative Alex Ikwechegh assaulting a Bolt driver at his Abuja residence In response to widespread calls for action, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu addressed the House, stressing the need for fair hearing The House has referred the case to its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, ... Read more Continue reading here ▶