Bello Matawalle, former governor of Zamfara State, has accused the state government of allegedly robbing his houses, saying even his wives’ and daughter’s belongings were not spared.
Matawalle stated these in an interview with BBC Hausa adding that it was “stupidity” and “poverty” that caused his houses to be entered into by operatives.
SaharaReporters on Friday reported that the Nigeria Police Force stormed the residence of Matawalle, and recovered over 40 vehicles.
Confirming the development in a statement, Sulaiman, Bala Idris, the spokesperson of the state governor, Dauda Lawal-Dare, had revealed that the police acted on a court order and a search warrant was obtained for the operation.
The statement had read in part, “Recall that the Zamfara State Government has communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.
“We also lodged an official complaint with the police on overriding public interest on the wasteful looting of valuables including official vehicles.
“Consequently, the police sought a search warrant which was duly given by the court and hence raided Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, Maradun Local Government, and another unidentified hideout.”
But in a BBC interview, Matawalle fired back, saying, “I have never seen this kind of stupidity where someone’s house will just be entered without any permission as if we are in a lawless country.
“I am in Abuja and nobody told me that any court gave that order or invite me and I refused to answer. The saddest thing is that, in my Gusau house, all my wives’ rooms were broken, even hijabs have been taken away. Stoves were all put in a car and taken away.
“Instead of Dauda to face Zamfara problems, he wants to create another crisis because he knows I have my people and they will not fold their hands.
“In my Maradun house, they took away all campaign cars that people gave us as contributions, including those I bought in United States even before becoming governor, you know I was a car seller. I will not ask them to bring the cars back, everybody knows that I have cars.
“This is robbery, they entered everywhere in my houses, even my daughter’s wedding clothing materials (Kayan Lefe) were not spared.
Also, Deyemi Saka, Media and Public Relations Consultant to Matawalle, described the move on the ex-governor as an illegal invasion.
He said, "The said operations which had vehicles, foodstuff, household items and kitchen utensils stolen was under the watchful supervision of a contingent deployed by the Commissioner of Police which was led by his Deputy Commissioner Operations and one Isah Augie, who is the Chief Security Officer to Mr. Dauda Lawal.
"We will also like the general public to know that at no time was our client availed the courtesy and privileges of a former Governor by making a formal request to him or served the much-needed notice to him on the said matter.
"It is evident that this is a calculated move in a bid to malign, demarket and scandalise our client in the court of public opinion just to make him a misfit for public office in the new administration.
"We will like to advise the “interim” Governor” whose electoral victory is subject to dispute at the Election Petition Tribunal to busy himself with governance and rely on the working template of our client to keep Zamfara State safe and secure and not embark on showboating which seems more like “police and thief” prank played by kids."