Two legal practitioners, Smart Aliu and Blessing Ogwuche, have petitioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), alleging extensive misappropriation of funds and money laundering by top Zamfara State officials.
The allegations implicate several high-ranking state government figures, including the commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Budget, Finance, the Secretary to the State Government, and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Finance and Economic Matters.
The petition, dated November 5, 2024, was submitted on behalf of concerned Zamfara citizens, specifically Lauwali Nafiu Tsafe and Basiru Aliyu Kuturu, who accuse state officials of diverting federal allocations amounting to approximately 341.6 billion Naira.
This substantial funding was intended for critical state needs, including security measures against terrorism.
The petition claims that instead of utilizing these funds for their designated purposes, the officials allegedly diverted portions of the allocation to personal enrichment.
The petitioners also flagged an irregularity in the re-award of an airport project initially contracted under the previous administration of Governor Bello Matawalle.
The original contract, budgeted at 11 billion Naira, has reportedly ballooned to 62.9 billion Naira under the current administration, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, with new contractors selected at allegedly inflated rates.
“Our clients allege that despite the project’s original contractor completing substantial work, the administration re-awarded the project at a drastically higher cost,” the petition read, alleging corruption in the process.
Further concerns were raised about road construction projects in Zamfara State, with allegations of inflated contracts under the current administration.
“A 5.8 billion Naira road project was reportedly awarded for 82.3 billion Naira, with only partial completion.
The petitioners claim these and other projects were awarded at grossly inflated rates, with officials allegedly pocketing significant portions of the funds.
The concerned group has called on both anti-corruption agencies to initiate a comprehensive investigation, including placing Governor Dauda Lawal and the implicated officials under close watch.
They are also demanding swift action to recover any misappropriated funds and ensure transparency and accountability in Zamfara State’s governance.
This petition underscores the citizens’ growing concerns about alleged corruption within the state’s leadership and calls on the EFCC and ICPC to act swiftly in upholding integrity and addressing the alleged misconduct.