Apparently not in tandem with Zamfara Gov. Bello Matawalle’s call to anti-graft agencies to probe outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari and ministers, the Federal Government has responded dismissively, saying it is the governor’s personal opinion and mere suggestion.
Rising to the occasion, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, who said this in reaction to what the Zamfara governor said, noted that the governor had merely expressed his “personal opinion”.
Persecondnews recalls that Matawalle had demanded that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ICPC should extend their probe to the President and his cabinet and not to single out outgoing governors, commissioners and other state officials.
Prof. Matawalle had earlier in a statement to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, asked him to stop castigating governors and beam his searchlight on the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council.
He urged the EFCC boss to ensure the commission’s investigation must be holistic and not selective.
Matawalle said: “The investigation must be holistic and not selective. It is in this respect that the recent invitations and pronouncement by the EFCC Chair is imbalanced, incomplete, hypocritical, and unnecessarily skewed.
“I demand that the EFCC chair extend similar invitations to officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council, which is the highest tier of government in the country.”
But Mohammed while reacting dismissively said the governor has the right to make “suggestions”.
Persecondnews also recalls that a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had a few days ago pleaded with EFCC to allow him present a book in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 19 before honouring the agency’s invitation for questioning over money laundering allegations.
In a letter dated May 12, the commission asked the ex-Ekiti governor to appear before the head of its zonal command office in Kwara, Nigeria’s North-Central, to answer questions bordering on money laundering activities.
According to the letter issued by its zone commander, Micheal Nzekwe, the EFCC requested that Mr Fayemi appear before it on May 18.
The letter addressed to Fayemi, dated May 12, which was sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday night, states: “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering in which the need to seek certain clarifications from you has become imperative.
“In view of this, you’re kindly requested to come for an interview with the undersigned through the Head, Economic Governance section. Thursday, May 18, 2023. No. 10 Oko close, off station road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State. Time: 10: 00 hours.”
But his legal counsel, Mr Adeola Omotunde (SAN), dated May 15, said the ex-governor is one of the organisers and reviewer of one of the books published in Buhari’s honour.
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