Court Proceeding Sparks Debate: Top Official Reacts to "OKayed" Suit Probing Ex-Governor
A recent report detailing a court’s approval to compel the federal government to investigate allegations linking ex-Governor Bello Matawalle to banditry in Zamfara State has sparked controversy, with Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, expressing concerns about the accuracy of the reporting.
According to Shinkafi, a former aide to Matawalle, the court has not, in fact, "okayed" the suit as claimed. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, was filed by human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru and is seeking to compel the FG to investigate the allegations linking Matawalle to banditry. However, Shinkafi emphasized that the case has not yet been assigned to a judge, heard, or determined by the court.
As Shinkafi pointed out, "a case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the pronouncement of the court." He echoed Professor Kabir Danladi’s statement, affirming that the presumption of innocence applies to all defendants. Shinkafi questioned the completeness of the initial reporting, noting that important details such as the judge’s name, court number, and defendants’ counsel were omitted.
Shinkafi also urged the relevant professional bodies, including the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and media ombudsman, National Media Complaint Commission, to thoroughly investigate the story.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies are reportedly investigating the sponsors of banditry in the North-West, with Shinkafi confident that Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Matawalle will be exonerated from the allegations due to their obvious frivolous nature.
Shinkafi’s statement concluded by advising that it is time to stop media trials and propaganda against public office holders and urged the Honourable Minister to remain focused in pursuing a strong, united, and just democratic nation.
As the situation unfolds, attention remains focused on the unfolding drama, with further updates expected as the details become clearer.
