A constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani Esq., has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, or ask him to step aside, citing serious national security concerns linked to longstanding allegations of ties to bandits.
In a statement titled “Bello Matawalle Should Step Down Or Be Suspended In The Interest Of National Security And For Fair And Proper Investigation,” Dantani said Northern Nigeria continues to suffer deeply from banditry and terrorism, with communities destroyed, livelihoods ruined, and countless lives lost.
Speaking as a Northerner, Dantani said he has watched with growing concern as insecurity continues to ravage the region, stressing that the controversy surrounding Matawalle “cannot be ignored, dismissed, or swept under the carpet.” According to him, the allegations deserve urgent and sober national attention.
He noted that since Matawalle’s time as Governor of Zamfara State, there have been persistent accusations that he enabled or fraternised with bandits, claims Dantani said were never thoroughly investigated before his appointment as defence minister. Given the sensitivity of the office, he argued that the decision raised legitimate concerns.
Dantani referenced repeated allegations by Sokoto-based cleric, Sheikh Murtala Asada, who has accused Matawalle of maintaining close ties with bandits, including claims of collusion, material support, and appeasement of armed groups responsible for killings, kidnappings, and displacement.
Among the allegations cited were claims that Matawalle distributed vehicles to bandits using public funds, allegedly bought a house for notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, and facilitated the release of a known bandit by standing surety through an aide. Dantani said if any of these claims are true, they would amount to financing terrorism.
The activist also criticised Matawalle’s response to the allegations, saying the minister chose to file a defamation suit rather than openly address the claims and clear his name, a move he said many Nigerians view as an attempt to silence critics.
He further pointed to claims by a former aide, Musa Kamarawa, who alleged deep collusion between Matawalle, bandits, and security operatives during his time as governor. Dantani stressed that these allegations are not coming from political opponents alone but from individuals who claim to have insider knowledge.
While emphasising that he was not declaring Matawalle guilty, Dantani said the accusations are too grave, persistent, and widespread to be ignored. He urged President Tinubu to suspend the minister to allow for an independent and transparent investigation.
According to him, keeping a defence minister under such serious allegations weakens Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. He warned that failure to act could force legal action to compel a proper investigation, describing the issue as one of national security and human rights, not politics.
