Banditry Claims: Court Sanctions Legal Action Demanding FG Probe Former Zamfara Governor Matawalle

Banditry Claims: Court Sanctions Legal Action Demanding FG Probe Former Zamfara Governor MatawalleThe Federal High Court in Abuja has granted approval for a lawsuit that seeks to compel the Federal Government to investigate allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to banditry activities in Zamfara State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This suit, initiated by human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru, lists President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Inspector General of Police as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, respectively.

Represented by his lawyer, Mr. Ojonimi Apeh, the plaintiff is urging the court to declare that President Tinubu must direct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the ongoing banditry and kidnapping crisis in Zamfara, particularly focusing on the alleged involvement of Minister Bello Matawalle. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, seeks to ensure the security and well-being of the public in the region.

Dahiru is also asking the court to issue an order requiring President Tinubu to direct the IGP to probe the accusations against Matawalle. These allegations include claims that the minister provided vehicles to bandits, sponsored their operations, and obstructed law enforcement during his tenure as governor.

The plaintiff detailed various allegations, citing remarks made by current Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and several media reports. These sources accuse Matawalle of direct involvement in banditry during his time as governor between 2019 and 2023. The plaintiff emphasized the immense suffering caused by banditry in Zamfara, which has led to numerous deaths, displaced thousands of people, and severely damaged the region’s economy.

Despite these serious allegations, the plaintiff argued that no substantial effort has been made by the government to investigate Matawalle. He called on the court to mandate a formal investigation to uncover the truth.

The court has not yet set a date for the case to proceed.