A civil society organization, the Zamfara Accountability and Development Coalition (ZADC), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged misappropriation of billions of naira allocated to local governments in Zamfara State.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 18, 2025, the group accused some state government officials and commissioners of diverting funds meant for grassroots development, leaving local communities without visible projects or services.
ZADC claimed that the state’s Joint Allocation Committee (JAC) has been operating with a lack of transparency, and that local government chairmen are often unaware of the funds actually disbursed to their councils.
“Despite the regular receipt of allocations from the Federation Account, local governments have become mere ceremonial offices with no real development work on the ground,” the group said.
Communities across several local government areas—including Talata Mafara, Maru, Bukkuyum, Tsafe, Gummi, Kaura-Namoda, and Bakura, have reportedly seen no tangible government projects in over a year.
The group urged the EFCC to promptly investigate the matter, warning that prolonged inaction could undermine public trust in anti-corruption efforts.
The EFCC has previously probed former Governor Bello Matawalle over alleged financial misconduct but has yet to take action on other recent petitions related to the state’s finances.
The commission has not responded to the latest call for investigation.
