Former Aide Stands by Suleiman Shuaibu: He Denies Accusations of Embezzlement Against Bello Matawalle
Criticized Allegation Over Alleged Misuse of ₦528 Billion by Matawalle - Former Aide Speaks Out Against Accusations of Misappropriation
In the face of accusations that ex-Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, embezzled over ₦528 billion, Suleiman Shuaibu, his former Special Adviser on Bilateral and Multilateral Affairs, is hitting back. Shuaibu, speaking to Punch, calls out the "faceless" Concerned Northern Forum, which laid the charges at a Kaduna press conference.
The controversy centers around the alleged mismanagement of funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, Joint Account Allocation Committee, and domestic loans by Matawalle while serving as governor from 2019 to 2023. However, Shuaibu vehemently defends his ex-boss, claiming to have a deep understanding of the state's budget and financial dealings during his tenure.
Shuaibu shares his knowledge of the Zamfara government's finances, explaining that they received monthly FAAC allocations between N4bn and N5bn. He emphasizes that almost all of these funds went towards the salaries of the state's 8,670 workers, leaving little to no discretionary funds.
When asked about the alleged embezzlement, Shuaibu is adamant that the figure of ₦528 billion is sheer nonsense. He points out that if Matawalle did possess such vast sums, it's unclear where they would have come from or how they could have been squandered so carelessly.
Shuaibu goes on to explain his role on the transition committee, a bipartisan group dealing with the handover process that involved representatives from both the outgoing and incoming administrations. Shuaibu asserts that this committee verified the financial records, confirming the reported N11 billion balance left in the state treasury when Matawalle handed over in 2023.
Suspecting political motives, Shuaibu suggests that the accusations are a result of opposition to Matawalle's recent appointment as Minister of State for Defence. He warns that detractors will never succeed in bringing down the political heavyweight who, in Shuaibu's words, is "doing the assignment [Matawalle] was given to do and do[ing] it perfectly well."
Additional Insights
Shuaibu's defense underscores the monthly FAAC allocations received by the Zamfara State government during Matawalle's tenure, amounting to N4bn–N5bn, with nearly the entire amount being allocated to salaries for the state's 8,670 workers. Shuaibu reiterates the N11 billion balance left in the state treasury upon Matawalle's departure and challenges the credibility of the embezzlement allegations in light of the state's financial constraints.
In response to Shuaibu's defense, critics demand an EFCC investigation into the alleged ₦528 billion fraud [2]. The Concerned Northern Forum, led by chairman Aliyu Sani, continues to allege that Matawalle mismanaged N290 billion from FAAC, N133 billion from JAAC, and N105 billion in loans [2].
- Suleiman Shuaibu, former Special Adviser to Bello Matawalle, denies accusations of embezzlement, asserting the claims are baseless and politically motivated.
- Shuaibu explains that while serving as Governor, Matawalle's monthly FAAC allocations ranged between N4bn and N5bn, mostly spent on salaries for 8,670 workers, leaving few discretionary funds.
- Shuaibu also confirms an N11 billion balance remaining in the Zamfara State treasury upon Matawalle's departure, contradicting allegations of massive embezzlement.
- Amid the controversy, the Concerned Northern Forum persists in accusing Matawalle of mismanagement, citing alleged FAAC, JAAC, and loan embezzlement totalling ₦528 billion.
- The alleged fraud has sparked demands for an EFCC investigation, but Shuaibu remains confident that the accusations will ultimately prove implausible given the state's financial limits.
- Tinubu, who recently appointed Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, might find himself drawn into the controversy as questions about the PDP's policy-and-legislation agenda and the general news surrounding the allegations continue to circulate.
