Federal Agency Summons Ihedioha, While Tambuwal Endures Overnight in Custody
Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal Detained by EFCC over Alleged Money Laundering
Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 11, 2025, over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during his tenure as governor.
The EFCC is investigating Tambuwal for alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, through these massive withdrawals. The investigation reportedly follows a financial profiling exercise by the EFCC on the Sokoto State Government's accounts to identify funds exposed to diversion, misappropriation, and money laundering.
Tambuwal voluntarily appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, was interrogated for about a day, and was released the next day after intensive questioning. However, the EFCC has not publicly commented further on the case beyond confirming Tambuwal's detention and release.
The matter has drawn political reactions, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar calling the detention an intimidation tactic by the current administration and warning against politicizing the anti-graft agency. Supporters and critics of Tambuwal have expressed varying views on social media following his release.
In addition to Tambuwal, another ex-governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has been invited by the EFCC and is expected to honor the invitation within the week. Ihedioha was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives when Tambuwal was Speaker.
The EFCC has also requested the Secretary to the State Government of Imo State to release certain state government officials for an interview at their headquarters. The EFCC has asked for payment approvals, vouchers, returns, and schedules of payments from May 29, 2019, to January 14, 2020.
Tambuwal and his associates have reportedly questioned the moral justification of working with the government given the high levels of poverty and insecurity in the country, particularly in the northern region. They argue that the EFCC should have included the current Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Sokoto, in their investigation, even though he has immunity. Aliyu Sokoto was deputy governor to Tambuwal at one point and was involved in many decisions during his tenure.
Some of those who served under Tambuwal have also been invited for interrogation by the EFCC. Tambuwal was approached six months earlier by Tinubu's ally to join the Tinubu "train," but it is unclear if this request is related to the current investigation.
A source close to Tambuwal claimed the issue is "100 per cent politics." However, the EFCC has yet to provide specific reasons for detaining Tambuwal.
[1] The Guardian Nigeria [2] Premium Times [3] Sahara Reporters [4] Vanguard Nigeria
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