Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State had last week said his predecessor, Bello Matawalle emptied the state’s treasury before leaving office. But one of the former governor’s aides told WikkiTimes it’s a “blatant lie.”
Abdulwali Anwar Tahir, Matawalle’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media told our reporter his boss left N11 billion in the state treasury. According to him, Matawalle, had in the handing over notes, clearly mentioned the amount of money the state has in various accounts and the number of assets before leaving office.
In addition, the newly inaugurated governor also claimed that Matawalle pillaged some vehicles and other electronic items. This was also refuted by Tahir, saying the items are still in the government’s house.
“It’s a total lie that former Governor Matawalle went away with vehicles and other properties,” Tahir told WikkiTimes. “The air conditions, refrigerator and televisions he claimed to have been taken by H.E Matawalle is a lie as all of the above-mentioned items are in the government house and inside his office. Former Governor Matawalle left 11 billion Naira in the state account.”
WikkiTimes could not immediately reach Sulaiman Bala Idris, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Lawal. A message sent to him had not been responded to as of press time.
FIVE DAYS TO RETURN ‘LOOTED’ ITEMS
Governor Lawal had given five days ultimatum to the former governor to return all items allegedly looted by him and his cronies before leaving office.
The governor in a statement Idris, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity alleged that Matawalle had looted vehicles meant to be distributed to dignitaries and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The statement read: “We have the facts and records available that exposed Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and other ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of One Billion, One Hundred and Forty-Nine, Eight Hundred Million Naira (N1,149,800,000.00). The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD.
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“The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021.
“On the 4th of October 2021 the former governor paid MUSACO for the supply of three bulletproof Jeep at the sum of N484, 512, 500.00; to supply seven sets of bulletproof Prado Jeep, and Land Cruiser at the sum of N459, 995, 000.00; to supply seven Toyota Hilux at the sum of N228, 830, 000.00.
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“On the 19th of May 2021, Matawalle paid for the supply of 30 sets of Peugeot 406 to TK Global Services at the sum of N61,200,000.00. Also, on the 15th of December 2021, Nadeen Butta was paid for the supply of one bulletproof Land Cruiser in the sum of N130, 000, 000.00″.
“On 26th of February 2022, a contractor Dapiyau B. Linus was paid the sum of N160,000,000.00 for the supply of two Land Cruiser Jeeps 2021 model; On the 20th of March 2022, Matawalle government paid MUSACO the sum of N120,000,000.00 for the supply of three vehicles for the office of the Deputy Governor.”
“It is the height of indignity for the Zamfara APC to continue to fizzle at a time when all the above official vehicles were looted by the outgone governor and his associates”.
“We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.”
