By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Some VIP cars suspected to be belongings of the government have been impounded, following a raid on the residence of the immediate-past Governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
At least four Some Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were reportedly impounded during the raid on Friday at the ex-governor’s home in Gusau, the state capital.
“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”, a local radio station, had quoted the incumbent Governor Dauda Lawal of saying recently.
The Governor who had repeatedly accused his predecessor of leaving office with government belongings and looting property including television and cookers was sworn-in May 29 after defeating Matawalle in an upset in the March governoship polls.
The governor had last week issued his predecessor an ultimatum of five days to return the vehicles allegedly taken away, insisting that his administration is poised to recover all government property illegally taken away.
“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 the governor had warned in a statement signed by his spokesman, Sulaiman Idris.
