The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the ruling against former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, in a case involving the seizure of over 40 government vehicles taken from his residence after he left office in May 2023.

In June 2023, the police raided Matawalle’s home following a court order and recovered the vehicles, which the state government alleged were illegally taken away by the former governor and his aides.

Delivering judgment on August 8, 2025, Justice A.M. Talba dismissed Matawalle’s appeal, affirming the decision of the Federal High Court in Sokoto. The court held that the police acted within the law in investigating and retrieving the vehicles.

According to the ruling, Matawalle failed to present credible evidence proving ownership of the vehicles. The court also clarified that his fundamental right to own property was not violated, as the recovery process followed due legal procedure.

The Zamfara State Government had earlier given Matawalle and his deputy five days to return the vehicles, but after no response, it sought a court order that paved the way for police intervention.

Although Matawalle initially obtained an interim order from the Federal High Court in Gusau directing the return of the vehicles, the case was later moved to Sokoto, where his suit was dismissed in December 2023.

With the Appeal Court’s decision, the earlier dismissal stands, reinforcing the state’s legal authority to recover the vehicles. The ruling also paves the way for possible prosecution, as the court stated that Matawalle cannot use claims of fundamental rights to shield himself from investigation.