Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto State has upheld the Federal High Court’s decision dismissing the appeal filed by former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle, challenging the retreaval of official vehicles he carted away with after his defeat in the 2023 general elections.Travel packages to Nigeria

Recall that in June 2023, the police had raided Mr Mattawalle’s residence, following his alleged refusal to return some of the official vehicles to the new administration.

According to a statement by the spokesman of Governor Dauda Lawal, Sulaiman Idris, a three-member panel of the appeal court, in a unanimous decision by presiding judge A.M. Talba on August 8, dismissed Mr Matawalle’s appeal.

According to him, the Appellate Court in Appeal No. CS//S/2024 – Bello Muhammed Matawalle vs Nigeria Police & others held that the decision of the trial was valid and correct.Travel packages to Nigeria

It further held that Mr 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 has been breached.

The statement read: “In June 2023, the Zamfara State Government gave former governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy five working days to return all vehicles stolen.

“However, all attempts to recover these vehicles were unsuccessful, prompting the Zamfara State Government to seek a court order. After the order was issued, police recovered over 40 vehicles.

“After the vehicles were recovered, Bello Matawalle approached the Federal High Court in Gusau and the court granted an order that the cars be returned to him.

“Additionally, he filed a separate suit at the same court, seeking to enforce his fundamental right to own property, including the vehicles in question.

“The Zamfara State Government requested the transfer of the case to the Sokoto division of the Federal High Court.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria, Sokoto Judicial Division, dismissed the matter in December 2023 and refused to grant any of the reliefs sought by Bello Matawalle. As a result, the vehicles are still considered the property of the Zamfara State Government.Travel packages to Nigeria

“Not satisfied with the Federal High Court’s judgement, Bello Matawalle approached the Appeal Court.

“⁠The Appeal Court last Friday upheld the entirety of the judgement of the Federal High Court, Sokoto, affirming that the police have the power to investigate allegations of the commission of a crime upon receipt of a complaint,

“It added that the entire procedure followed by the State Government in the retrieval of the stolen vehicles is in line with the law, as such, does not offend the fundamental right of Bello Matawalle, as alleged, and thus cannot shield him from investigation and prosecution.”

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