A Sokoto Division of the Federal High Court has dismissed a suit brought by Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State and current minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, concerning ownership of approximately 50 vehicles purportedly belonging to the Zamfara State government.
Earlier this year, the Zamfara State Police Command conducted a raid on the ex-governor’s residences, seizing official vehicles allegedly taken by Matawalle upon leaving office as governor on May 29, 2023, as per a court order.
According to Leadership, a statement by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Monday, said that the Sokoto division of the Federal High Court rejected Matawalle’s claims of ownership of the official vehicles in question.
The statement highlighted that upon leaving office, the former governor and his cabinet members allegedly took all official vehicles belonging to the state government, leaving the current administration without any usable vehicles.
The statement further disclosed that over 50 vehicles were recovered by the police in compliance with the court order after earlier attempts to recover them proved unsuccessful.
“After the vehicles’ recovery, Bello Matawalle swiftly approached the Federal High Court in Gusau, seeking their return. Simultaneously, he filed a separate suit, asserting his fundamental right to own property, including the disputed vehicles.
“Upon the Zamfara State Government’s request, the case was transferred to the Federal High Court in Sokoto. The court’s ruling on Friday denied Matawalle’s claims, affirming the ownership of the vehicles as Zamfara State Government property.
“Our government remains resolute in reclaiming all assets rightfully belonging to the people through an extensive restoration initiative. This court ruling strengthens our commitment to ensuring justice prevails and holding accountable all involved in financial misconduct within Zamfara,” the statement concluded.
