Florida Rep Claims Nigerian Minister Tried to Bribe U.S. Official

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations from a U.S. lawmaker, Rep. Daniels, who claims the minister attempted to bribe an American official.

According to the Florida representative, the alleged incident occurred during an undisclosed engagement involving Nigerian and U.S. officials. Daniels stated that the situation raised “serious ethical and diplomatic concerns,” though specific details regarding the timing, location, and nature of the alleged bribe have not yet been publicly disclosed.

The accusation, which is yet to be independently verified, has sparked conversations around transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s defence sector. Analysts warn that if substantiated, the claim could strain diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas of military cooperation and security partnerships.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Matawalle nor the Nigerian Ministry of Defence has issued an official response to the allegations. Efforts to obtain comments from U.S. authorities involved in the matter have also not yielded immediate results.

Political observers note that such allegations, especially when coming from a foreign lawmaker; could trigger investigations both domestically and internationally if evidence emerges to support the claim.

The development adds to ongoing discussions about governance and integrity in public office, with calls from civil society groups urging Nigerian authorities to address the matter promptly and transparently.