A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has said that it would commence civil proceedings against the Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, if he cannot explain the alleged controversial contracts awarded by him when he was in charge of the State.
The civil society group noted that it will institute the proceedings under Section 1 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 for purpose of seeking an Order to compel the Minister to do the needful.
GICN President, Barrister Edward Omaga, in a letter to the Minister dated November 13, 2023 listed several contracts awarded by him, allegedly, without due process.
Giving the Minister seven days to respond to the allegations and documents released to the media by his successor, Governor Dauda Lawal, the group said: “We expect to be in receipt of your response to this letter within 7 (Seven) days from the date of its delivery on you pursuant to Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. In the event that you fail to heed our request as contained herein, we shall not hesitate to brief the media on the efforts made so far to ensure that you embrace accountability as a Public Officer and how you frustrated us.
“Thereafter, we shall institute civil proceedings under Section 1 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 for purpose of seeking, amongst other ancillary reliefs, an Order of Mandamus compelling you to do the needful”, the organisation said.
GICN, in the letter listed the contracts and date it was awarded by the former governor, saying, “On July 16, 2020, the previous administration of Bello Matawalle awarded a contract to construct a catering and hotel service centre (Gusau Motel) in Gusau. The total cost of the contract was N1,149,288,084.25.
“On August 7, 2020, Bello Matawalle approved the payment of mobilisation fees to the firm. The amount approved was N344,786,425.27. However, the contractor disappeared after receiving the payment and did not perform on-site work for a year. This action by Bello Matawalle was a gross violation of financial regulations.
“After a year, the contractor returned to the site but was instructed by the Ministry of Works to provide a written commitment not to repeat such behaviour.
“We fear that if all these allegations are true then our country will be doomed should you continue to hold the sensitive position of minister of state for defence till the next four years.
“This is because your present office which is supposed to assist the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to meet needs of internal and external security of Nigeria could again become a conduit pipe for high level corruption.
“Against the foregoing backdrop, we hereby REQUEST pursuant to Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and the Whistle Blowing Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2016 that you avail us INFORMATION and CLARIFICATION regarding your involvement or otherwise in all the criminal allegations levelled against you by the incumbent Governor of Zamfara State.”