- EFCC releases former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal.
- He is accused of mismanaging ₦189bn during his tenure.
- EFCC demands detailed explanation of alleged illegal withdrawals.
TheEconomic and Financial Crimes Commission has released former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, hours after questioning him in Abuja over an alleged ₦189 billion fraud.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that photos of Tambuwal surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday evening, sparking mixed reactions from Nigerians. Supporters took to social media to celebrate his release, with one user, Emma Umeh, posting, “Sen Tambuwal is back home. Thank you Nigerians for standing against the oppression of the APC.”
Tambuwal, who served as Sokoto governor for eight years and previously as Speaker of the House of Representatives, was invited by the EFCC on Monday to answer questions regarding alleged financial misconduct and illegal withdrawals during his tenure. He honoured the invitation at about 11:16 am but was later taken into custody.
An EFCC source told Daily Trust that while Tambuwal was not formally arrested, his inability to give satisfactory explanations for the ₦189 billion led to his detention overnight. “Do you know what ₦189 billion can do for his state or the country?” the source asked, adding that the withdrawals allegedly violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The commission said Tambuwal would be required to provide detailed accounts of how the funds were spent before the investigation can progress.
The case has stirred political debate, with some opposition figures accusing the EFCC of using anti-corruption probes as a tool against perceived political opponents, while others insist that accountability should be pursued regardless of political affiliation.
