Alhaji Bashir Hadejia who was arrested few days ago is under investigation, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said on Sunday, August 18.
The arrest of Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has sparked ongoing outrage.
Hadejia, who served as a special adviser to Matawalle during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, was apprehended on Monday.
A search warrant issued to the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, dated August 12, 2024, showed that the suspect was accused of “treason and subversion against the state”
Some Nigerians, who reacted to the development, demanded answers from the authorities after videos and photos indicated that the suspect was connected to top government functionaries and politicians.
Shortly after his arrest became public, photos and videos of the suspect with prominent politicians and celebrities emerged on social media.
There were about 13 boxes filled with the gold bars on the table. The boxes were labelled, “Central Bank of Libya”.
In a photo that has been trending since the arrest was made public, Hadejia accompanied Matawalle to present some gold bars to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020.
Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also shared photos showing Hadejia appearing to assist Matawalle in presenting the gold to the president.
The post had read: “President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia. Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State. Describe the visuals.”
He was also seen in another picture having a handshake with President Bola Tinubu.
Adejobi, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “security operatives have arrested him and I can tell you categorically that he is still undergoing serious interrogation.
“I cannot tell you more than that. A lot of issued will be cleared. That is what I can say”
