Governor Matawalle stole N70 billion from poverty-stricken Zamfara - EFCC announces

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that it is investigating Governor Bello Matawalle over the theft of more than N70 billion from Zamfara.

EFCC chief Osita Nwajah said this on Thursday while addressing journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The announcement comes days after Mr Matawale tried to preempt the investigation by publicly accusing the anti-graft authority of bias and corruption.

Mr Matawalle said the EFCC should also probe people working with President Muhammadu Buhari, including federal cabinet ministers. The anti-graft office has been accused of being too timid to go after people loyal to the president, and Mr Matawalle recently attacked Mr Buhari as disloyal to the ruling APC and responsible for the party’s shortcomings in some states during the last elections.

The EFCC has rejected allegations of bias in its prosecution of corruption cases, saying Mr Matawalle has been out to distract the agency from its activities.