The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto State has affirmed the seizure of over 40 official vehicles from former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, dismissing his claim that the cars were his personal property.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice A.M. Talba on August 8, upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Sokoto Division, which validated the police’s power to investigate the case and rejected Matawalle’s ownership claim.

The dispute dates back to June 2023, when the Zamfara State Government accused the former governor and his deputy of carting away official vehicles after leaving office.

Following a failed ultimatum for their return, the police, acting on a court order, raided Matawalle’s residence and recovered more than 40 vehicles.

Matawalle had initially secured an order from the Federal High Court in Gusau for the return of the vehicles and separately filed a suit claiming a breach of his fundamental right to own property.

But the case was later transferred to Sokoto, where the court dismissed his arguments in December 2023, holding that he failed to prove ownership of the vehicles.

Unconvinced, Matawalle appealed the ruling, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the case, declaring that the recovery process followed due process and did not violate his rights.

“The Appeal Court last Friday upheld the entirety of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Sokoto, affirming that the police have the power to investigate allegations of crime upon receipt of a complaint,” a statement by Zamfara State Government spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said.

The court further ruled that Matawalle’s allegations of rights violations could not shield him from investigation and possible prosecution. (Nigerian Tribune)