Olayiwola Matthew
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has freed former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, a day after detaining him over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion.
Tambuwal, now representing Sokoto South in the Senate, secured his release on Tuesday after meeting his bail conditions. He had honoured an EFCC invitation on Monday, arriving at the commission’s Abuja headquarters at about 11:30 a.m., where officials interrogated and detained him overnight.
EFCC sources alleged that the withdrawals breached the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, describing them as a flagrant violation. An official confirmed that investigations are still underway.
A source, speaking anonymously, confirmed his release: “He has been granted administrative bail. He met the bail conditions and has been released.”
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, proved unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor replied to messages.
Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the detention, alleging political persecution. On X, he claimed the move was part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to pressure opposition figures into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress, accusing the administration of trying to “harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition.”