The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied the allegations made by Bello Matawalle, the outgoing Governor of Zamfara State, that the anti-graft agency was victimizing him because he refused to provide its Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, with a $2m bribe. In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, called on the governor to provide concrete evidence to support his allegations.
Furthermore, Uwujaren emphasized that Governor Matawalle is a suspect under the EFCC’s investigation and should not receive dignified attention. The spokesperson for the EFCC also claimed that the governor’s accusations are baseless and added that the commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with the governor.
Uwujaren’s statement reads in part, “Matawalle’s recourse to mudslinging is symptomatic of a drowning man clutching at straws. But despite the irritation of his phantom claims, the Commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state. If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond saber-rattling by spilling the beans – provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations.”
The EFCC spokesperson also revealed that some politically exposed persons who have allegedly embezzled state funds are planning to flee the country before May 29. He warned that the EFCC is working with its international partners to frustrate their plans and ensure that they face justice.
In summary, the EFCC has challenged Governor Matawalle to provide evidence to support his allegations of a $2m bribe. The anti-graft agency described the governor as a suspect under its investigation and warned against sabre-rattling. It also alerted the public to the escape plans of some alleged corrupt politicians, vowing to bring them to justice.
