The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a suit compelling the Nigerian government to investigate former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, over alleged connections to banditry operations in the region.
The suit, filed by human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru and marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, names President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police as defendants.
In court, the plaintiff, represented by counsel, Mr Ojonimi Apeh, argued that it is crucial for President Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara.
The suit specifically requests an investigation into allegations surrounding Matawalle’s involvement in these criminal activities, emphasizing the need to restore public safety in the region.
Dahiru’s application includes a demand for a court order mandating Tinubu to ensure the IGP conducts a thorough investigation, asserting that the President has the constitutional authority to direct law enforcement agencies in matters concerning public safety and order.
In a 22-paragraph statement of claim submitted to the court, the plaintiff highlighted the current surge in armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State. He argued that the activities of criminals, which began as a small issue in the state, escalated to alarming and unprecedented levels between 2019 and 2023, the period during which Hon. Bello Matawalle served as Governor of Zamfara State.
The Plaintiff asserts that armed banditry and kidnapping have left thousands of people in Zamfara as orphans, widows, widowers, and without homes or food. This devastation is the result of criminal activities that maim individuals, extort money, take lives, and subject victims to various forms of physical and emotional suffering.
Furthermore, the Plaintiff states that he recently watched an interview with Governor Dauda Lawal on TVC Television on September 18, 2024, during which the Governor publicly accused Hon. Bello Matawalle of being involved with kidnappers and bandits in Zamfara State.
“The Plaintiff avers that he has also read an online publication by Umoru Faruk Salifu in the 21st Century Chronicles online Newspaper of 22nd September 2024, where he accused Hon. Bello Matawalle of sponsoring bandits, buying vehicles for bandits, sabotaging efforts of law enforcement agents to curb banditry and kidnapping in North Western Nigeria, granting amnesty to terrorists, etc.
“The Plaintiff avers that he also read an article by Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia wherein he chronicled series of allegations of Hon. Bello Matawalle’s involvement with banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara state.”
The Plaintiff contends that, despite public allegations regarding Hon. Bello Matawalle’s involvement in banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, the government has made no effort to investigate these claims.
As a result, the ongoing wave of banditry and kidnapping continues to harm the citizens of Zamfara State.
In the meantime, the court has not yet scheduled a date for the hearing of the case.