The Office of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has firmly denied allegations circulating online that he attempted to bribe a United States official, describing the claims as entirely false and lacking any credibility.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Minister, the office said it had taken note of a series of online publications linking Matawalle to an alleged bribery attempt in connection with narratives surrounding a report by the United World Congress of Diplomats.
According to the statement, the allegations—reportedly attributed to a member of the Florida House of Representatives—are “unfounded, misleading, and devoid of credibility.”
The Minister’s office stressed that Matawalle has never engaged in, nor would he condone, any form of bribery or misconduct, noting that the claims do not reflect his conduct or public record.
“The Honourable Minister has never bribed or attempted to bribe anyone,” the statement said, adding that the accusations are part of a broader pattern of baseless and malicious narratives.
Despite the controversy, the Minister remains focused on his official duties, the statement noted. It emphasized that he would not be distracted by what it described as campaigns of calumny and propaganda, and would continue to discharge his responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and a strong commitment to national service.
The public was also urged to disregard the reports, which the Minister’s office described as unsubstantiated and misleading.
