The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that rejected former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle’s claims over more than 40 official vehicles seized from his residence after leaving office in May 2023.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba, ruled unanimously that Matawalle failed to provide credible evidence to prove the vehicles were his personal property. The court affirmed that the police acted within their legal authority to investigate and recover the assets following a complaint by the Zamfara State Government.

“The judgment of the learned trial Judge is unassailable. It is in consonance with the settled principle of law. The appeal lacks merit and is dismissed,” the court stated.

After his defeat in the 2023 governorship elections, the Zamfara State government requested the return of the official vehicles within five working days. Following unsuccessful negotiations, the police recovered over 40 vehicles from Matawalle’s residence.

Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Governor, recalled that Matawalle had filed suits at the Federal High Court in Gusau, claiming ownership and alleging a breach of his fundamental rights. The case was later transferred to the Sokoto Division, where the Federal High Court dismissed Matawalle’s claims in December 2023.

Matawalle subsequently appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal. According to the court, in Appeal No. CS//S/2024 – Bello Muhammed Matawalle vs Nigeria Police & Others, the Federal High Court correctly upheld the police’s right to investigate allegations of criminal conduct.

“It further held that Matawalle failed to adduce credible evidence to support his claim of ownership of the 40 vehicles recovered from his residence, as such lacks justification to allege that his fundamental right to own property was breached,” Idris said.

The Appeal Court noted that the procedure followed by the Zamfara State government in retrieving the vehicles complied with the law and did not violate Matawalle’s rights, emphasizing that the vehicles remain the property of the state government.

“The judgment of the learned trial Judge is unassailable. It is in consonance with the settled principle of law. The sole issue is resolved against the applicant. The appeal lacks merit and it is dismissed. The judgment of the lower court on 1st December 2023, in suit No FHC/S/CS/29/23 is hereby affirmed,” the court ruled.