The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied declaring the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mattawale wanted, contrary to reports in a section of the news media.
The commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, clarified through a statement on Sunday that it never asked the Department of State Service (DSS) to arrest the former governor, reiterating it will only follow the standard procedure in the case against the former governor.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to a report titled, Alleged N70b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex-Zamfara Gov, Matawalle Wanted, which appeared in the Sunday Tribune of June 18, 2023, and purports that the Commission had declared a former Zamafara State governor, Bello Matawalle wanted and requested the Department of State Service, DSS, to arrest him, anywhere he is seen.
“Without prejudice to the case involving the former governor, the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest.”
The Commission noted that it has a standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating the same to the public, not through faceless “security sources.”