₦airaland Forum

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


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

The case stemmed from a raid on Matawalle’s residence in June 2023 after the former governor allegedly refused to return official vehicles to the new administration of Governor Dauda Lawal.


The Zamfara State Government, after unsuccessful demands for their return, obtained a court order which led to the recovery of more than 40 vehicles.

Matawalle had challenged the action at the Federal High Court in Gusau, arguing that his fundamental right to own property had been breached. He also sought an order for the vehicles to be returned to him.

The matter was later transferred to the Federal High Court in Sokoto, which dismissed his claims in December 2023.


In its ruling, the appellate court affirmed that the police acted within their powers to investigate allegations of crime and that the Zamfara State Government followed due process in recovering the vehicles.

It held that the retrieval did not infringe on Matawalle’s fundamental rights and could not shield him from investigation or possible prosecution.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2025/08/16/appeal-court-upholds-retrieval-of-40-vehicles-from-mattawalles-residence

Good news from the court of Appeal. Justice must be served

These ones aren't leaders; they're dealers. They discharge their duties without respect for man or the law. Naija na wa

Matawalle: From Governor to Uber Driver Without Steering Wheel! 🚗🚓😂

Na so e be o! Court of Appeal for Sokoto don finally give former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, one hot judicial "God no go shame us" by confirming say those 40 official cars wey dem pack from him house no be him papa property. 🚙🚐🚘

This na after Matawalle carry the matter waka go Federal High Court before e jam wahala again for Appeal Court. Court say:

> "Oga no get any strong evidence say those cars be him own. Government follow correct due process. Police sef no do pass themselves."



So na like this the story take end: You finish tenure, them ask for car key, you say na souvenir. Court say "Lie! Even BRT no dey do like that."

As dem dey talk for village:
"Na who no return hoe after farming, dem go call thief, no matter how many yams e harvest." 🌾🚜

Next time, if you wan retire as governor, carry sense join convoy, not just car logbook. 😅

And he is a minister..Nigeria will get it right is not by wish....

40 looted vehicles That's besides other looted properties and cash.

These are the kind of heavy mindless looters apc shenanigans worship like demi gods.

Wike's supreme court will overturn the Appeal court ruling

Black man’s greed must be studied. How can a comfortably rich man steal not 3 but 40 vehicles as if he has never had a car before? Shameful behaviour

Minister Martin Looter King 😏😏

Last last every one will be alright

Shielded because of President and EFCC are blind to it

Anyway to be re-looted by new criminals Kai Naija can't be freed

HOW MANY BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CAN OWN SUCH AMOUNT OF VEHICLES, SICK PEOPLE LIVE IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD, THAT IS WHY SO CALLED NIGERIA REMAIN LIKE THIS🥱

my own be say wetin wan use 40 cars do!?
if he bought the cars with his salary he ahould provide receipt...

And such a person is minister of defense in Nigeria!

Did he plan to open a car dealership with the vehicles?

Why are Nigerians so greedy?

And he is a sitting minister, what a shame for a country that used to claim, giant of Africa

press9jatv:
Good news from the court of Appeal. Justice must be served

What is he going to do with over 40 exotic vehicles, dear lord? These people are mentally.ill

To be think he was appointed as a state minister for defense. Someone being investigated for allegations of misappropriation of 70 billion naira as a governor, alleged to have procyred vehicles for bandits.
Itshows how lowly leadership is in Nigeria.

Klington:
40 looted vehicles That's besides other looted properties and cash.

These are the kind of heavy mindless looters apc shenanigans worship like demi gods.

You are not ready for change, walahi. Do you need to be told that this kind of behaviour was in existence before APC was even formed. This behaviour cuts across all the political parties. What are you even saying when all these politicians are crossing from one party to another?

maasoap:
What is he going to do with over 40 exotic vehicles, dear lord? These people are mentally.ill

seriously 🤣. They quickly forget that every thing na vanity

Maintenance bill alone…

Maintenance bill alone…

This is not witch hunting neither has the judiciary been compromised!!!
If it had been towards the opposition, it would have been a gale of wailings!
Every public officials/servants must be investigated and the time to revive the whistle blower policy is now!

Should EFCC not be arresting the man.🧐🧐🧐. We are not serious about fighting corruption in Nigeria.

adenigga:
Source: https://dailypost.ng/2025/08/16/appeal-court-upholds-retrieval-of-40-vehicles-from-mattawalles-residence

And these are not just junk vehicles but serious modern vehicles. Ladies and gentlemen,can we find out from him whether he want to become car dealer?

And same gentleman is currently serving as a minister of the federal government of Nigeria.

They should revoke his governorship status and declare void his pension.

Lol.. A yahoo man, I’m Nigeria and scamming Nigerians!! Poor man pikin don suffer

NewHe:
This is not witch hunting neither has the judiciary been compromised!!!
If it had been towards the opposition, it would have been a gale of wailings!
Every public officials/servants must be investigated and the time to revive the whistle blower policy is now!

But he is a serving Minister in this government and his employer has not found it necessary to dismiss him to save it's image while his colleagues in saner climes resign because of unexplained restaurant bills, holiday tickets and free flights for family and friends.

Last time I checked cabinet ministers have no immunity from the law. So just like the former governor of Sokoto he too should be invited to explain his car collection when he is not a registered auto trader, junkyard operator or has shares in 'Texas Metal'.

40 cars plus nawa ooo God please deliver us from this bad politicians that looting away money in this country

Why would anybody want to own 40 vehicles? It's crazy.