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Alleged N528bn graft: EFCC pledges to probe Matawalle
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it will probe allegations of financial misconduct involving the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, after a petition submitted by the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance, APC-YLA.
According to the allegations, Matawalle embezzled more than N528 billion during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
The EFCC gave the assurance during a protest held on Friday at the its headquarters in Abuja, where APC-YLA Convener, Mohammed Ireji, and other protesters demanded the reopening of the corruption case against Matawalle.
Ireji questioned the delay in probing the former governor, citing previous petitions submitted to the EFCC, including those by the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and a follow-up on September 30, 2024.
Acting Director of Security of the EFCC, Idowu Adedeji, while receiving the petition, said the petition would be submitted accordingly.
The demonstrators called for immediate action, highlighting the commission’s previous successes in investigating and prosecuting other high-profile figures, including former Minister Betta Edu, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.
The allegations against Matawalle include the misappropriation of N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee, JAAC, and an unexplained N105 billion loan taken during his governorship.
The convener of the group stressed that these were not mere speculations but backed by concrete facts and figures.
“We are here today to formally request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense. We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira,” Ireji said during the protest.
The protest highlighted the growing concerns about selective justice and political interference in the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts. Ireji challenged the commission.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to accept Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s appearance on behalf of his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he is not a legal practitioner.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, swore in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025. His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.
As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.
With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).
Dangote to Uzodimma: Just show me where to invest
Judge rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s brother court appearance
IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
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