Former Governor Accused of Embezzlement Donates N200 Million for Sallah Celebration Amidst Ongoing Investigation

In a controversial move, Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State in Nigeria, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged embezzlement of state funds, has made a substantial donation of N200 million towards Sallah celebrations in the state. This act of philanthropy has sparked a heated debate among the public, considering the serious allegations of corruption leveled against Matawalle during his tenure.

Matawalle, who recently lost his bid for a second term as governor, has been accused of siphoning billions of naira from the state’s coffers. Additionally, his administration faced severe criticism for failing to pay workers’ salaries for three consecutive months. Despite these accusations and the ongoing EFCC investigation, the former governor decided to allocate a significant portion of funds to his supporters and various groups in Zamfara State as a gesture for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.

Tukur Danfulani, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, issued a statement acknowledging Matawalle’s donation and detailing the intended beneficiaries, which include party members, stakeholders, women, youth groups, orphans, the less privileged, Islamic scholars, media practitioners, and social media influencers and handlers. Danfulani expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and emphasized the aim of easing economic hardships faced by citizens, particularly at the grassroots level. The distribution committee, chaired by Danfulani, assured that the funds would be disbursed prior to the Sallah celebration.

Meanwhile, the corruption allegations against Matawalle continue to loom large. The EFCC has disclosed an ongoing investigation into the former governor for allegedly diverting N70 billion from the state treasury. Osita Nwajah, the Director of Public Affairs for the EFCC, highlighted the gravity of the situation, citing corruption, the awarding of phantom contracts, and the diversion of a substantial sum of money. Matawalle, in response, accused the suspended EFCC Chairman, Abdurrashid Bawa, of soliciting a $2 million bribe from him—an allegation denied by the EFCC.

During his tenure, Matawalle also faced criticism for the non-payment of workers’ salaries, with some employees enduring four months without payment. The failure to remunerate workers in a timely manner further compounded the challenges faced by Zamfara State, a region already grappling with economic hardships.

Interestingly, Matawalle’s predecessor, Abdulaziz Yari, who is also under investigation by the EFCC for alleged misappropriation of state funds, had a similar propensity for philanthropic gestures. Yari, now serving as a senator, recently distributed 500 rams to residents in the Talata Mafara area—a practice he has maintained for approximately ten years. Both Yari and Matawalle maintain their innocence in the face of the corruption allegations leveled against them.

As the public grapples with the paradox of donations from politicians under investigation for financial malpractice, the gesture by Matawalle raises questions about the appropriateness and ethical implications of such actions.