The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, dismissing the case filed by former Zamfara governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over the seizure of government vehicles in his possession after the 2023 general elections.
In June 2023, acting on a petition from the Zamfara State Government, police stormed Matawalle’s residence and recovered more than 40 official vehicles allegedly taken away by the former governor and his cabinet prior to handing over power on May 29, 2023.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, a three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice A.M. Talba, unanimously dismissed Matawalle’s appeal on August 8, 2025.
The appellate court held that the police acted within the law in investigating the allegations, adding that Matawalle failed to present credible evidence proving ownership of the vehicles. It ruled that his claims of breached fundamental rights to property could not stand.
“The Zamfara State Government had earlier given Matawalle and his deputy five days to return all vehicles unlawfully taken. After repeated failure to comply, the state sought a court order, which enabled police to recover more than 40 vehicles,” the statement read.
Although Matawalle initially secured an order from the Federal High Court in Gusau directing the return of the vehicles and even filed another suit to enforce his right to property, the case was later transferred to the Sokoto division where it was dismissed in December 2023.
Unsatisfied, he approached the Appeal Court, which has now affirmed that the vehicles remain the property of the Zamfara State Government and that the entire recovery process was lawful. The ruling also reinforced that Matawalle cannot use claims of fundamental rights as a shield against investigation and possible prosecution.