The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator Aminu Tambuwal over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion.
The prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure was taken into custody on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
Details of the Allegations
Tambuwal arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11:30 a.m. on Monday for questioning.
According to an anonymous senior EFCC official, the investigation focuses on suspicious transactions during Tambuwal’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
The alleged unauthorized withdrawals are said to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The withdrawals are in clear violation of the Money Laundering Act,”
The source stated, noting that the probe has been ongoing for months.
Tambuwal’s Release on Bail
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Tambuwal was released on administrative bail after meeting the conditions, which were described as “not stringent.”
However, the EFCC retained his passport, signaling that the investigation is ongoing with potential for further questioning.
The commission has not yet issued an official statement, and its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment until the interrogation is complete.
Political Context and Reactions
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a key PDP figure, is currently a Senator representing Sokoto South in the 10th National Assembly.
His detention has sparked political reactions, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, condemning the arrest as an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC is being used to coerce opposition figures into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating, “The only reason the EFCC has detained Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is because he is a member of the opposition coalition.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also protested the arrest, claiming that the EFCC’s actions target opposition politicians selectively, reopening old cases to pressure them politically.
Tambuwal’s Political Background
Tambuwal served as Sokoto State governor from 2015 to 2023, having previously been Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He switched from the APC to the PDP before the 2019 elections and remains a strong ally of Atiku Abubakar, who is leading an opposition coalition to challenge President Tinubu in 2027.
Tambuwal’s influence in Nigerian politics makes this investigation one of the country’s largest subnational financial probes in recent years.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
The EFCC’s probe into the alleged N189 billion fraud could have significant political and legal ramifications.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and transparency in Nigeria’s public finance, with calls for impartial anti-corruption efforts growing louder.
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