The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld a Federal High Court judgment that affirmed the recovery of over 40 official vehicles from the home of former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
A three-member panel, led by Justice A.M. Talba, dismissed Matawalle’s appeal on August 8, 2025, stating that he failed to provide credible evidence to prove his ownership of the vehicles.
The case originated from a June 2023 raid on Matawalle’s residence.
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The action was taken after the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, alleged that Matawalle had refused to return official vehicles following his exit from office.
After initial demands were unsuccessful, the state government obtained a court order to recover the vehicles.
Matawalle had challenged the recovery at the Federal High Court in Gusau, arguing that it was a breach of his fundamental right to own property.
The case was later moved to the Federal High Court in Sokoto, which dismissed his claims in December 2023.
In its recent ruling, the appellate court affirmed that the police acted within their authority to investigate and that the Zamfara State Government followed due process.
The court held that the retrieval of the vehicles did not infringe upon Matawalle’s rights and could not shield him from a potential investigation or prosecution.
