N11bn Fraud: Pressure on Tinubu as calls for Matawalle’s sack from Cabinet intensifies

The Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity, representing various human rights organizations, have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss Defense Minister Bello Matawalle over alleged negligence of his duties.

The group's National Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh, cited the minister's failure to provide a financial account for the multi-billion naira Gusau International Cargo Airport as a primary reason for this demand.

Furthermore, the advocacy groups have called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene and hold Matawalle and his associates accountable for the alleged misappropriation of the N11 billion earmarked for executing the cargo airport project.

They contend that recovering these misused funds is crucial for the development of Zamfara State, especially in the wake of devastating bandit attacks and the resulting poverty.

The group noted: "We are also aware that in his capacity as Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has decided to politicize the banditry and terrorism attacks in his home State of Zamfara.

"He has not officially visited the State to assess the security situation but rather chose to embark on military tourism in faraway Turkey while blocking the Governor of Zamfara State from meeting Mr. President on this burning issue.

"On the heels of these unsavory developments, we call on Mr. President to demonstrate the right action in promoting the fight against corruption and theft in public office."

In response to these allegations, Matawalle, through his Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, argued that the accusations were deliberately orchestrated to undermine him and deflect attention from Governor Dauda Lawal's perceived inadequacies.

Matawalle emphasised that he inherited the cargo airport project contract from his predecessor and believed it was in the best interest of the state's residents to continue with the project.