Banditry: Court Okays Suit To Compel FG To Probe Gov Matawalle

The Federal High Court in Abuja has allowed a case seeking to compel the Federal Government to examine the alleged relationship between the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, and bandit operations in Zamfara State.

The lawsuit, filed by Zamfara-based human rights activist Abubakar Dahiru, lists President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff, represented by Mr. Ojonimi Apeh, is asking the court to order President Tinubu to order the Inspector General of Police to look into the banditry and kidnapping situation in Zamfara, with particular attention to Minister Bello Matawalle’s alleged involvement.

The goal of the lawsuit, which is tagged FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, is to ensure local public safety. Furthermore, Dahiru is requesting a court order compelling President Tinubu to direct the IGP to investigate the charges made against Matawalle, which include charges of providing vehicles to bandits, sponsoring bandits, and interfering with law enforcement activities.

The plaintiff made a number of charges, citing statements from Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and media publications, accusing Matawalle of direct involvement in banditry during his stint as governor from 2019 to 2023.

He said that banditry and kidnapping had caused significant suffering in Zamfara, including fatalities, displacement of thousands, and extensive economic misery. Despite the gravity of the claims, the plaintiff claimed that no official measures were taken to investigate Matawalle. He urged the court to order an official investigation to determine the truth behind these allegations.

The court has not scheduled a date for the case’s hearing.

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