Banditry Allegations: Shinkafi Asserts No Court Has Authorized Investigation Of Matawalle

Banditry Allegations: Shinkafi Asserts No Court Has Authorized Investigation Of Matawalle....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, has addressed recent reports claiming that a court has authorized an investigation into former Governor Bello Matawalle……CONTINUE READING 

A weekend report stated that the Federal High Court in Abuja had approved a lawsuit aimed at compelling the federal government to investigate allegations connecting Matawalle to banditry in Zamfara State. This suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, names President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as defendants, and was reportedly filed by human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru.

In a statement on Sunday, Shinkafi clarified that although a case has been filed in the Federal High Court, it has not yet been assigned to a judge, nor has it been mentioned, heard, or decided upon. He emphasized that it is inaccurate to claim that the “court okayed” the suit.

“Professor Kabir Danladi rightly pointed out that a case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the court makes a pronouncement. The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants,” noted Shinkafi, who previously served as an aide to Matawalle.

He referred to Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that every person charged with a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that individuals are entitled to a fair hearing in any legal proceedings.

Shinkafi criticized the media coverage for not providing full details of the court proceedings, such as the name of the judge, court number, and defendants’ counsel, describing the story as incomplete. He urged the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the National Media Complaint Commission to investigate the matter thoroughly.

He expressed confidence that the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies are actively investigating the backers of banditry in the North West and that Dr. Bello Matawalle will be vindicated from what he termed frivolous and unfounded allegations from political adversaries.

Shinkafi asserted that the allegations were politically motivated by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who aim to undermine Matawalle as he gains recognition in his role as a federal minister and loyal supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He called for an end to media trials and propaganda against public officials like Matawalle, urging him to remain focused on his mission to foster a strong and equitable democratic nation.