Two legal practitioners, Smart Aliu and Blessing Ogwuche, have filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), accusing senior Zamfara State officials of extensive financial misconduct, including fund misappropriation and money laundering.
The petition, dated November 5, 2024, was submitted on behalf of concerned citizens in Zamfara, represented by Lauwali Nafiu Tsafe and Basiru Aliyu Kuturu.
They alleged that top state officials misused federal allocations intended for essential needs, including security measures against terrorism, with funds totaling approximately 341.6 billion Naira reportedly diverted for personal gain.
A significant focus of the petition is the re-award of an airport project originally contracted under former Governor Bello Matawalle’s administration.
Initially budgeted at 11 billion Naira, the contract’s cost has reportedly surged to 62.9 billion Naira under the current administration led by Governor Dauda Lawal.
The petitioners claimed the project was re-awarded to new contractors at inflated rates despite substantial progress by the original contractor.
“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 states, pointing to alleged corruption in the re-award process.
Additionally, the petition highlights concerns over road construction projects in the state, citing examples of alleged contract inflation. It notes that a 5.8 billion Naira road project was reportedly awarded for 82.3 billion Naira, with only partial completion.
The petitioners have urged the anti-corruption agencies to initiate a thorough investigation, placing Governor Dauda Lawal and implicated officials under surveillance. They also call for prompt actions to recover misappropriated funds and ensure accountability in Zamfara State governance.
This petition came on the heels of rising public concerns over alleged corruption within the state’s leadership, prompting citizens to call on the EFCC and ICPC to uphold transparency and address the alleged financial misconduct.
