The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the green light to a lawsuit demanding that the Federal Government investigate the alleged connections between the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, and bandit activities in Zamfara State. The lawsuit, filed by Abubakar Dahiru, a human rights activist based in Zamfara, seeks a thorough investigation into Matawalle’s supposed involvement in the rising banditry and kidnappings in the region.
This legal action, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, names President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Inspector General of Police as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively. Dahiru, through his lawyer, Mr. Ojonimi Apeh, is requesting the court to issue a declaration that the President must direct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the disturbing allegations surrounding the former Zamfara Governor.
The plaintiff’s request specifically calls for “an order of court mandating the 1st Defendant (Tinubu) to direct the 3rd Defendant (IGP) to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State,” focusing particularly on the accusations linking Matawalle to these criminal activities. The goal of such an investigation, according to the plaintiff, is to restore public safety in Zamfara, which has been plagued by violent attacks for years.
The plaintiff, in a 22-paragraphed statement of claim he filed before the court, said there is presently 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 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 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.
“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 avers that he also read an article by Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia wherein he chronicled series of allegations of Hon. Bello Matawalle’s involvement with banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara state.”
