Former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle, has become the subject of controversy as the Nigerian police force conducted a raid on his residence in search of missing government vehicles, News About Nigeria reports.
The raid, which took place without a search warrant or court order, was allegedly carried out based on orders from the new governor, Dauda Lawal.
Prominent Nigerian politician and former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, brought this incident to light through his social media page on Friday.
Fani-Kayode expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of the police officers, emphasizing the lack of proper justification for their raid.
He further disclosed that the officers claimed to be acting on instructions from Governor Dauda Lawal.
Governor Lawal had previously demanded the return of government properties in the possession of former Governor Matawalle.
In response, the police raid was conducted to locate the allegedly missing government vehicles.
However, the absence of a search warrant or court order has raised concerns about the legality of the operation.
In a statement shared on his social media page, Femi Fani-Kayode condemned the raid as both vindictive and lawless.
He called upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene and ensure that the officers involved are held accountable for their actions.
Fani-Kayode stressed that the abuse of power and the persecution of political opponents should have no place in Nigeria.
The incident sparked a public debate regarding the rule of law and the appropriate procedures for conducting such raids.
Critics argue that without proper authorization, the actions of the police officers can be seen as an infringement on individuals’ rights and a misuse of power.
Others, however, contend that the government has the responsibility to retrieve missing government assets and hold accountable those responsible for their disappearance.
