Police storm ex-gov’s residence, impound ‘stolen’ vehicles

Police storm ex-gov’s residence, impound ‘stolen’ vehicles

The Zamfara State government has ordered a raid on the residence of the immediate-past governor of the State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, and impounded some vehicles believed to belong to government.

Some Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were impounded on Friday during a raid of Matawalle’s residence in Gusau.

Recall that, speaking on a local radio station, incumbent Governor Dauda Lawal had said, “Former Governor Bello Matawalle had gone away with 17 vehicles from his office and those in the deputy governor’s office claiming that the vehicles are his personal belongings. In fact, not even office equipment were spared.”

According to a report, a total of four jeeps were seized.

Policemen were said to have stormed the former governor’s residence, which is not far from Government House in Gusau, the State capital.

LEADERSHIP reports that Governor Lawal had accused Matawalle of leaving with government vehicles and looting property including television and cookers from the State Government House and the State Liason Office in Abuja.

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Last Saturday, Lawal gave Matawalle an ultimatum of five days to return the vehicles allegedly taken away by officials of his administration.

Lawal, who gave the ultimatum via a statement issued by his spokesman, Sulaiman Idris, vowed to recover looted funds and properties of the state government.

“We have the facts and records available that expose Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of N1,149,800,000. The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. Ltd.

“The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021; and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.

“We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five working days,” he stated.

When LEADERSHIP contacted the Zamfara State government on the latest development, spokesperson of Governor Lawal, Sulaiman Bala Idris, told our Correspondent that he was unaware that his principal gave the raid order, saying the Police was only doing its work.

Police storm ex-gov’s residence, impound ‘stolen’ vehicles