Provide evidence I demanded $2m bribe from you, Bawa dares Matawalle

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, has urged the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, to go beyond sabre-rattling and provide concrete evidence as proof of $2 million bribery allegation against him.

Bawa, in a statement signed by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the EFCC would not bandy words with a suspect, adding that Matawalle’s recourse to mudslinging “is symptomatic of a drowning man clutching at straws.”

The EFCC boss alerted the public about plans by some alleged corrupt politically-exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29, maintaining that the commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate their plans and bring those involved to justice.

The statement read: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to a trending interview granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, (BBC), by Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, where he allegedly made wild bribery allegations against the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

“Matawalle’s recourse to mudslinging is symptomatic of a drowning man clutching at straws.

“But, despite the irritation of his phantom claims, the commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.

“If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond sabre-rattling by spilling the beans – provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations.

“Again, the Commission wishes to alert the public about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically- exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29. The Commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans and bring those involved to justice.”