A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a lawsuit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate alleged ties between 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, names President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police as defendants.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Ojonimi Apeh, requests that the court declare “it is imperative for the 1st Defendant herein to give directions to the 3rd Defendant to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara state and in particular the allegations surrounding the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle in relation to banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara state with a view to securing and/or restoring public safety in Zamfara state.”
The plaintiff further applied for “an order of court mandating the 1st Defendant herein to direct the 3rd Defendant herein to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State, and in particular the allegations surrounding the Minister of State, Defence Hon. Bello Matawalle in relation to banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State with a view to securing and/or restoring public safety in Zamfara State.”
Additionally, the plaintiff seeks “a declaration that by the provisions of Section 215(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and other relevant laws, the 1st Defendant herein either by himself or through such other Minister of the government of the Federation as he may authorize can give directions to the 3rd Defendant herein with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order in any part of the federation.”
In a 22-paragraph statement of claim, the plaintiff said there is presently a high wave of armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara state, insisting that activities of hoodlums “which started like a mustard seed in Zamfara state grew to an alarming and unprecedented proportion during the period between 2019 and 2023 when Hon. Bello Matawalle was the Governor of Zamfara state.”
The plaintiff stated, “The Plaintiff avers that armed banditry and kidnapping have rendered thousands of the people of Zamfara orphans, widows, widowers, homeless, hungry, etc due to the activities of criminals who maim people, extort their monies, kill their loved ones and subject them to all manner of physical and emotional torture.”
The plaintiff also referenced public accusations against Hon. Bello Matawalle, including Governor Dauda Lawal’s interview on TVC Television on September 18, 2024, where he accused Matawalle of involvement with kidnappers and bandits in Zamfara State.
He stated, “The Plaintiff avers that he recently listened to the interview of Governor Dauda Lawal on TVC Television on 18th September 2024, wherein he publicly accused Hon. Bello Matawalle of involvement with kidnappers and bandits in Zamfara State.”
Furthermore, the plaintiff cited an online publication by Umoru Faruk Salifu in the 21st Century Chronicles online Newspaper on September 22, 2024, accusing Matawalle of sponsoring bandits, buying vehicles for them, sabotaging law enforcement efforts, and granting amnesty to terrorists.
He further stated, “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 also referenced an article by Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia chronicling allegations of Hon. Bello Matawalle’s involvement with banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara state.
Among other claims, the plaintiff argued that despite open allegations against Hon. Bello Matawalle, no efforts have been made by the government to investigate him, allowing banditry and kidnapping to continue unchecked in Zamfara State.
He said, “The Plaintiff avers that despite the open allegations as to the involvement of Hon. Bello Matawalle with banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, no efforts have been made by government to investigate him with a view to coming out with the truth or falsity of these allegations while the spate of banditry and kidnapping continue to reign in Zamfara State to the detriment of citizens.”
The court has not yet scheduled a hearing date for the matter.
