“No Shield Against Probe” — Court Of Appeal Affirms Zamfara Govt’s Seizure Of 40 Vehicles From Ex-Governor Matawalle

The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court which affirmed the recovery of 40 official vehicles from the residence of former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle.

Delivering judgment on August 8, 2025, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice A. M. Talba dismissed Matawalle’s appeal, ruling that he failed to provide credible evidence to substantiate his ownership claim over the vehicles.

The case originated from a raid on Matawalle’s residence in June 2023 after he allegedly refused to return official vehicles belonging to the state despite repeated demands from the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal.

Following the governor’s refusal, the Zamfara State Government secured a court order authorizing the recovery of the vehicles. Over 40 official vehicles were subsequently retrieved.

Matawalle, dissatisfied with the action, had approached the Federal High Court in Gusau, arguing that the seizure violated his fundamental right to own property and sought an order for their return. The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court in Sokoto, which dismissed his suit in December 2023.

Affirming that decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the police acted within their constitutional powers to investigate allegations of crime and that the Zamfara State Government followed due process in the recovery exercise.

The court further held that Matawalle’s fundamental rights were not violated by the seizure, stressing that such rights cannot be used as a shield against investigation or possible prosecution.

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