By Dansu Peter
At a press conference, the group of lawyers said having meticulously examined court records, it found no evidence to support these claims.
In his address, Barrister Napoleon Otache alleged that Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, orchestrated the smear campaign to discredit Matawalle's successes in combating banditry.
He said Matawalle has led efforts to neutralize notorious bandit kingpins, including Kachalla, and collaborated with the Nigerian military to restore peace and security in Zamfara.
The CTJ accused Governor Lawal of funding and supporting banditry for personal political gain, using insecurity to position himself as a 'saviour' ahead of the 2027 elections.
Otache said: "We wish to respond, in the strongest possible terms, to a recent report suggesting that the former governor of Zamfara State, now Minister of State for Defence, is facing allegations that require federal investigation for his alleged ties to banditry.
"These allegations, however, are entirely unfounded and baseless. Worse still, they are the handiwork of elements within the Zamfara State Government, led by none other than the sitting Governor, Dauda Lawal, who seems to have launched a coordinated attack on the Honourable Minister.
"Today, we are compelled to expose the truth behind this political charade, clear the name of an innocent man, and set the record straight. The recent media reports, suggesting a court case against the Honourable Minister, are fabrications designed to mislead the public and cast a shadow on his exemplary efforts.
"We, as lawyers, have examined court records meticulously, and we can categorically state that no such case exists. In fact, these reports are nothing more than a political smear campaign, orchestrated by mischief-makers who have been recruited by Governor Dauda Lawal to fight against the Minister for one simple reason—his success in curbing banditry in Zamfara.
"Furthermore, Governor Lawal and his cronies have found themselves in an uncomfortable position, as the Minister’s leadership in addressing the insecurity in Zamfara has left them exposed. These allegations are part of a desperate attempt to divert attention from the governor’s own failures and nefarious activities.
"We cannot stress enough the importance of acknowledging the Honourable Minister’s tireless efforts. His collaboration with the Nigerian military, local intelligence forces, and community leaders has drastically reduced the operational capacity of these bandits. Particularly, the killing of the notorious bandit leader Kachalla was a strategic victory that sent a clear message to all criminal elements: their time is up.
"It is worthy of note to state that, The allegations against Minister Matawalle are not just baseless; they are also an example of 'banditry fighting back'. For too long, certain political actors have profited from the chaos and instability caused by banditry. The insecurity provided them with a cover to enrich themselves while the people suffered.
"Now that the tide is turning, these individuals, including Governor Dauda Lawal, are resorting to desperate measures to protect their selfish interests. It is no coincidence that, as Minister Matawalle continues to make significant strides against banditry, these allegations have surfaced. The bandits, whom we have long suspected of being on Governor Lawal’s payroll, are now being exposed, and they are fighting back in the only way they know how; through misinformation, false allegations, and political manoeuvrings.
"However , We must remind everyone that insecurity has been weaponized for political gain in Zamfara State for far too long. But now, the real criminals are being hunted down, and those who have benefitted from this instability are becoming desperate.
"They fear losing their grip on power, and they fear being held accountable for their actions. This, without a doubt, is why they are attacking Minister Matawalle, the man who has led the charge to bring peace and security to the state."
The group, however, urged Governor Lawal to cease supporting terrorism and banditry and called on the media to verify sources and report accurately.
"We must also address the elephant in the room, Governor Dauda Lawal’s involvement in the ongoing insecurity in Zamfara. Apparently, it is no secret that the governor has been funding and supporting banditry for his personal political gain.
"By keeping the state destabilized, Governor Lawal hopes to position himself as a ‘savior’ ahead of the 2027 elections. Nevertheless, the truth has now been exposed. Clearly, Governor Lawal’s strategy is this: he intends to use the insecurity as a political weapon to remain in office beyond 2027.
"By keeping Zamfara in a constant state of crisis, he hopes to manipulate public opinion and present himself as the only solution to the problem. This is not just morally bankrupt; it is a clear betrayal of the people of Zamfara, who deserve peace, security, and good governance.
"Thus, we call on Governor Lawal to immediately cease his support for terrorism and banditry. He must understand that the era of using insecurity for political gain is over. The people of Zamfara and Nigeria at large are watching, and they will not be deceived by his tactics.
"We, the Centre for Truth and Justice, proudly stand behind the Honorable Minister of Defence. His courage, dedication, and tireless work in the fight against banditry are unparalleled. Under his leadership, we have witnessed the decimation of key bandit leaders, the dismantling of their criminal networks, and the restoration of peace in areas that were once no-go zones for civilians."
No comments