THE outgoing Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, is under investigation for alleged N70bn fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – EFCC, have said.
According to EFCC, Matawalle is being investigated over alleged monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over 70 Billion.
“The money which was sourced as loan from an old generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed,” the commission said in a statement on Thursday.
“The Commission’s investigations so far reveal that more than 100 companies have received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.”
The EFCC said that some of the contractors have made “startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars”.
“They confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamfara State but were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollar and return to the State governor through some of his commissioners, notably the Commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.”
“As part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, the Commission has recovered a sum of N300 Million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited. The funds were traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.
“In Nigeria state governors and their deputies enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, a reason the EFCC has yet to arrest Governor Matawalle.”