Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports in some section of the media that it had declared former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, wanted over alleged N70 billion fraud.
Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the Commission said the purported report did not emanate from the agency.
He also clarified that EFCC did not sought the assistance of any agency in arresting the former governor.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report, entitled, Alleged N70b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex-Zamfara Gov, Matawalle Wanted, which appeared in the Sunday Tribune of June 18, 2023 and purports that the Commission had declared a former Zamafara State governor, Bello Matawalle wanted and requested the Department of State Service, DSS, to arrest him, anywhere he is seen,” the commission’s spokesperson tweeted.
“Without prejudice to the case involving the former governor, the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest”, he added.
The commission said it has standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating same to the public, not through faceless “security sources”.
WikkiTimes had reported that the suspended chairman of the Commission, Abdulraaheed Bawa had before the end of Matawalle’s tenure, alleged that the former governor had some shoddy deals which the commission would investigate.
