The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a lawsuit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to banditry in Zamfara State.

The suit, brought by human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru, aims to probe Matawalle’s alleged involvement in the operations of bandits during his tenure as governor.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, lists President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, respectively.

Dahiru, represented by his lawyer Ojonimi Apeh, is asking the court to declare that President Tinubu must direct the IGP to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State, with a specific focus on allegations surrounding Matawalle’s role in the crisis.

The plaintiff claims that during Matawalle’s time as governor (2019–2023), armed banditry escalated to unprecedented levels, leaving thousands of citizens in Zamfara State displaced, orphaned, or widowed due to the violence.

Dahiru pointed to interviews and articles accusing Matawalle of supporting banditry, including claims that he provided vehicles to bandits, sabotaged law enforcement efforts, and granted amnesty to terrorists.

Dahiru contends that despite these serious allegations, the government has made no attempt to investigate Matawalle, while banditry continues to plague Zamfara State.

LordIsaac:
And that is the head of our Defense! I'm disappointed in Tinubu.

Brendaniel:
The question is: would Tinubu obey it?

I am more convinced now that Tinubu sponsored terrorism in Nigeria during Jonathan's government through some people like Mattawale and Shettima that are presently in his government. - To me, that was how desperate he was for power that's why he can't fight them and most of their boys scattered round the country

Funkyswagzz:


Lol why would you be disappointed tell me one reason. When someone surround himself with criminals what do you expect

Racoon:
Is it not outrageous for a sovereign nation that the Defence minister was accused openly by a notorious terrorist kingpin of being the mastermind of banditry and terrorism in his home State yet but is being continually retained in office by the same government?