EFCC Releases Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal After Brief Detention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Aminu Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto State and current senator representing Sokoto South, following a brief period of detention. Tambuwal was freed on Tuesday evening after hours of questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Tambuwal, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was detained on Monday morning after honouring an invitation from the anti-graft agency. The interrogation centred on allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his tenure as Sokoto governor from 2015 to 2023. Investigators claimed the transactions violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, raising questions about the handling of public funds.
Sources indicate that Tambuwal was released after providing clarifications during the interrogation, though the EFCC has yet to issue an official statement detailing the outcome of the questioning. The allegations involve large-scale cash withdrawals allegedly funnelled to private individuals and political associates, prompting scrutiny from the anti-corruption body.
The detention sparked significant political controversy, with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, condemning the EFCC’s actions as politically motivated. Atiku, in a statement on X, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using the EFCC to target opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections, alleging attempts to coerce defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The African Democratic Congress (ADC) echoed these sentiments, criticising the EFCC for what it described as selective investigations targeting opposition figures while overlooking similar allegations against APC members.
In response, the EFCC firmly rejected claims of bias. Spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that the commission operates without political prejudice, emphasising that “fraud is fraud” regardless of party affiliation. The agency maintained that its investigations are driven by evidence and not influenced by political considerations.
Tambuwal’s political career has been marked by both influence and controversy. Having served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, he governed Sokoto State for two terms before switching from the APC to the PDP ahead of the 2019 elections. His detention and subsequent release have reignited debates about the impartiality of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and the potential misuse of state institutions for political ends.
As the EFCC continues its investigations, further details are expected to emerge regarding the allegations against Tambuwal and whether formal charges will be filed. For now, his release marks a significant development in a case that has drawn widespread attention across Nigeria’s political landscape.
