The Zamfara State Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the Federal High Court’s decision dismissing former governor Bello Matawalle’s claim of ownership of over 40 official vehicles recovered from his residence.
The three-member panel, led by Hon. Justice A.M. Talba, on 8 August 2025 ruled that Matawalle failed to provide credible evidence to prove the vehicles were his personal property. The court also affirmed that the police acted within the law in investigating and recovering the vehicles.
The vehicles were seized in June 2023 after the state government complained that Matawalle and members of his cabinet took them away before leaving office on 29 May 2023. Several recovery attempts failed until a court order was obtained, leading to the police raid.
The Appeal Court maintained that the process followed by the government did not violate Matawalle’s rights and that he could still face investigation and prosecution over the matter.
