Zamfara Ex-Officials Respond To Allegations Of N70 Billion Funds Misplacement

Former government officials in Zamfara State have offered clarification regarding the alleged disappearance of N70 billion from the state government’s coffers…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During a media briefing in Abuja, Mr. Rabiu Garba, the former Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, and Mr. Ibrahim Dosara, the former Commissioner of Information, addressed the matter.

They characterized the accusations against former Governor Bello Matawalle as a deliberate act of mischief and a smear campaign orchestrated by the current government led by Governor Dauda Lawal.

According to Garba, the state government terminated the contract with Avic International Engineering Nig Ltd and requested the return of N4.5 billion. He emphasized that there was no truth to the claim that the funds were disbursed without proper due process.

Garba also alleged that the contract’s revocation was done unlawfully and that it was subsequently awarded to associates and allies of the present government.

He claimed that the initial contract was valued at approximately N25 billion but had been inflated to N50 billion following its termination. The company in question has taken the state government to court over this issue.

He further stated that the former state government would no longer engage in discussions regarding this matter. Garba clarified that the contractor had the legal right to challenge the contract’s termination since it had been duly signed and awarded.

He refuted the accusation that the contract was irregularly awarded during the tenure of Alhaji Bello Matawalle, emphasizing that the EFCC’s investigation into state funds had been halted by the court due to a lack of jurisdiction.

Garba explained that the former EFCC chairman prematurely concluded that the funds had been diverted from the companies into private individuals’ pockets, without considering that these companies had executed contracts for various projects.

He declared that the claim that the state government diverted N70 billion to 100 private companies for personal use was entirely untrue.