EFCC boss requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this – Matawalle claims

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has accused Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), of demanding a $2 million bribe from him. The governor made this allegation in the midst of an escalating dispute between him and the anti-graft agency.

Governor Matawalle on Wednesday, May 17 called for Bawa’s resignation and accused him of using his position for corrupt activities.

Reacting to this, the EFCC chairman, in an interview with BBC Hausa, denied the allegations and urged Governor Matawalle to report any evidence he has to the appropriate authorities.

During another interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, May 19, Governor Matawalle reiterated his claim that the EFCC chairman had requested a $2 million bribe from him.

He said; “It is not just to always blame governors. It is not only governors who have treasury, the federal government also has. What does the EFCC boss do to them? As he is claiming he has evidence on governors, let him show to the world evidence of those at the federal level. If he exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him. Let him vacate office, I am telling you within 10 seconds probably more than 200 people will bring evidences of bribe he collected from them. He knows what he requested from me but I declined.

He requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this.”