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Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has denied allegations of aiding banditry, calling on his accusers to provide proof of their claims.
The former Zamfara State governor, in an interview on September 24, defended his decision to engage in dialogue with bandits, which he said led to the recovery of abducted individuals and weapons.
Matawalle also challenged Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and others to take an oath, as he had done, to prove their innocence.
“They should bring any proof of that… I swore on the Holy Quran that I had no connection with banditry,”
Matawalle said, adding that his actions were in line with other governors who also engaged in negotiations with bandits, including the governors of Niger and Sokoto States.
He further suggested that his fearlessness in confronting criminal elements in Zamfara had made him unpopular among those involved in such activities.
However, the feud between Matawalle and Lawal has escalated, with Lawal accusing Matawalle of siphoning over N70 billion in state funds.
Matawalle dismissed these claims, asserting that “the records are there with the Ministry of Finance,” and accused Lawal of spreading lies instead of focusing on governance.
Given the severity of the allegations from both sides, it is essential for the federal government to intervene and conduct a thorough, transparent investigation to prevent further escalation and ensure justice.
