The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it would not be drawn into a war of words with Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State who is under investigation for stealing a whooping N70billion from the state.
EFCC released a statement on its social media handle in response to the direct allegation by Matawalle against the EFCC boss, Abdul Rasheed Bawa. Matawalle had accused Bawa of demanding $2million bribe from him.
Recall that there has been a media war between Metawalle and EFCC. This was triggered by Matawalle accusing the agency of bias and only focusing on Governors for its investigations. Matawalle had advised the agency to look towards the Presidency and its officials in its corruption investigations.
Here is the released statement:
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been drawn to a trending interview granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, by Bello Muhammed Matawalle, …
…governor of Zamfara State, where he allegedly made wild bribery allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Bawa.
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.
Again, the Commission wishes to alert the public about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29.
The Commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans, and bring those involved to justice.
