Former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, has been implicated in a scandal involving the awarding of contracts and mismanagement of funds.
It has been revealed that Matawalle awarded a contract worth N1,149,800,000 for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to various state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), but none of these vehicles were left in office for his successor, Dauda Lawal-Dare.
In addition to this, it has been discovered that Matawalle also awarded contracts worth over N2 billion to his own company, BESBELMON, which was responsible for handling at least three projects. These revelations were made based on documents seen by SaharaReporters.
The contract for the purchase of vehicles was given to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD. The funds were allocated for the acquisition of several vehicles, including Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021, Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021, Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model, Toyota Prado V4 2021, Peugeot 508 2021 Model, Toyota Hilux 2021 Model, Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021, and Toyota Lexus 2021.
Another source, Tanimu Salihu Mafara, Chairman of the Zamfara Alternative Forum, raised concerns about Matawalle's company, Besbelmon, being awarded contracts for the construction of a two-story building with five bedrooms intended as the governor's residence. The company received a 75% payment of N1,221,242,968.93 for this project.
As a result of the mismanagement of funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently announced its intention to arrest Matawalle and charge him with a N70 billion fraud before the end of his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
Mafara highlighted other alleged wrongdoings of Matawalle, including an attempt to sell the Kaduna Liaison office complex at an undervalued price and the awarding of contracts for the construction of Governor's Lodges across the state's 14 local government areas and the supply of medicines to hospitals, where funds were disbursed without following due process.
Zamfara State is considered one of the poorest states in Nigeria, with a poverty rate of 92%, according to data from the Oxford University Poverty and Human Development Initiative.
Despite its abundant agricultural and natural resources, the state has been plagued by bad leadership since the return to democracy in 1999.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State recently accused Bello Muhammad Matawalle of stealing 17 government vehicles and other items from the state government residence.
The revelations about Matawalle's involvement in awarding contracts and mismanagement of public funds are concerning, especially considering the dire socio-economic conditions in Zamfara State.
The EFCC is urged to take appropriate action, as Matawalle is no longer protected by immunity, and it would be irresponsible for the administration of President Tinubu to shield someone involved in such financial offenses.
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