Again, EFCC Hits Matawalle

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it won’t brandy words with the Governor of Zamafara state, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, over bribery allegations against the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Governor Matawalle, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored by Politics Nigeria, accused the EFCC Chairman of demanding $2million bribe from him.

Matawalle also said he has evidence against the EFCC boss, insisting that Bawa could not be trusted.

The governor had earlier on Wednesday, called for Bawa’s resignation, stating that he had questions to answer on alleged corruption, however, Bawa challenged him on Thursday to make public his evidence.

According to Matawalle, “He requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this.”

Reacting, the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, in a press statement, late Friday night, said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a trending interview granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), by the Governor of Zamfara state, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, where he allegedly made wild bribery allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed 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 sabre-rattling by spilling the beans, provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations.”

Uwujaren further stated. “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.”