A constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, or for the minister to step aside, pending an independent investigation into allegations linking him to bandit groups in Northern Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Dantani said the scale of insecurity in the region made it imperative for the government to treat the allegations against the defence minister with urgency and seriousness.
He noted that communities across Northern Nigeria continue to suffer from banditry and terrorism, resulting in loss of lives, displacement, and economic devastation. According to him, the allegations surrounding Matawalle, who previously served as Governor of Zamfara State, raise concerns that should not be ignored given the sensitivity of his current office.
Dantani said Matawalle has faced repeated accusations since his time as governor, including claims that he maintained ties with armed groups. He argued that these allegations were never conclusively investigated before Matawalle’s appointment as a defence minister, a development he said raised questions about due diligence.
The lawyer referenced claims made by a Sokoto-based cleric, Sheikh Murtala Asada, who has repeatedly accused Matawalle of collaborating with bandits while in office. These allegations include claims of providing material support to armed groups, including vehicles and other resources, which Dantani said, if proven, could amount to terrorism financing.
He also cited allegations that Matawalle facilitated the release of a suspected bandit through intermediaries and approved the distribution of relief materials to armed groups across several local government areas in Zamfara State as part of what was described as an engagement strategy.
Dantani criticised Matawalle’s response to the accusations, noting that the minister opted to file a defamation suit against the cleric rather than publicly addressing the substance of the claims. He said this approach had further fuelled public concern.
The activist also referred to statements allegedly made by a former aide of Matawalle, Musa Kamarawa, who claimed to have served as a Senior Special Assistant during Matawalle’s governorship. According to Dantani, the former aide alleged that the state government under Matawalle maintained close dealings with bandit leaders and provided logistical support to them.
Dantani expressed concern over reports that a known bandit leader had publicly defended Matawalle, saying such developments raise troubling questions about the nature of the alleged relationships.
While emphasising that the allegations do not amount to a declaration of guilt, Dantani said they are serious, persistent, and supported by multiple sources, making an independent investigation necessary.
He urged President Tinubu to suspend the defence minister to allow for a fair and transparent probe, stressing that such a step would not constitute a conviction but would help restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to national security.
According to him, retaining a defence minister under such allegations could undermine efforts to combat terrorism and banditry effectively.
Dantani concluded that if the government fails to act, legal steps would be taken to compel a proper investigation, describing the matter as a national security and human rights concern rather than a political issue.
