Former Sokoto Governor, Tambuwal, Freed by EFCC

Former Sokoto Governor, Tambuwal, Freed by EFCC

Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Faces Allegations of Financial Misconduct

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former Sokoto State Governor and the current Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, is under investigation by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor.

The EFCC took Tambuwal into custody on August 11, 2025, for interrogation regarding the suspected breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, in relation to fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during his governorship from 2015 to 2023. The investigation reportedly focuses on large-scale suspicious cash withdrawals that allegedly were funneled into accounts of private individuals and political associates, triggering concerns under anti-money laundering laws.

The EFCC's inquiry into Tambuwal's financial transactions is not brand-new; sources indicate it has been ongoing since at least April 2022. The EFCC is scrutinizing cash transactions that carry red flags of diversion or misappropriation dating back to his tenure as governor. There are also historical controversies linked to Tambuwal, such as the 2017 backlash when he issued pardons to officials implicated in a ₦15 billion corruption case, which EFCC at the time opposed due to constitutional grounds.

Though the EFCC has remained officially silent about details of the probe, the matter has caused political tension. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned Tambuwal’s detention, framing it as political intimidation by the current administration ahead of upcoming elections, alleging that EFCC investigations are sometimes weaponized against opposition politicians.

Investigation Details

| Aspect | Details | |-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Allegation | Fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during governorship (2015–2023) | | Legal basis | Suspected breach of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 | | EFCC action | Custody and interrogation starting August 11, 2025; released after overnight detention | | Probing period | Transactions and withdrawals mainly during governorship years; probe active since 2022 | | Nature of transactions | Large-scale cash withdrawals, potentially diverted to private accounts and associates | | Political context | Alleged political intimidation claims by opposition; EFCC alleged to be “weaponized” | | Previous related controversy | 2017 EFCC opposition to Tambuwal’s pardons for officials in a ₦15 billion corruption case |

During his detention, Tambuwal was required to explain how the ₦189 billion was spent. It is important to note that he was not arrested but taken into custody by the EFCC after honoring an invitation extended to him. The EFCC has withheld Tambuwal's passport and granted him bail. One user on X (formerly Twitter), Emma Umeh, posted that Tambuwal is back home.

The Anti-Democracy Congress (ADC) has criticized the EFCC for its actions against Tambuwal, suggesting that the commission is doing the bidding of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). HURIWA has accused the EFCC of being an obedient lapdog doing the APC's dirty work. Peter Obi, a political opponent, has also criticized the EFCC for targeting political opponents only in its anti-corruption efforts, specifically referring to the case of Tambuwal.

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming Sokoto State Governor. He governed Sokoto State for eight years before transitioning to his current role in the National Assembly. The investigation into his financial activities remains ongoing, and no formal charges have been publicly announced as of his release.

1. Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former Governor of Sokoto State and current Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, is under investigation by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for financial misconduct during his tenure as governor, owing to alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion.
2. The EFCC took Tambuwal into custody in Abuja on August 11, 2025, for interrogation concerning the suspected breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
3. There is political tension surrounding Tambuwal's detention, with some, like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing the current administration of political intimidation ahead of elections.
4. The EFCC's investigation into Tambuwal's financial transactions has been ongoing since at least April 2022, focusing on large-scale suspicious cash withdrawals that were potentially diverted to private accounts and associates.
5. Critics, such as the Anti-Democracy Congress (ADC) and HURIWA, have accused the EFCC of doing the bidding of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and being an obedient lapdog in their anti-corruption efforts.
6. Peter Obi, a political opponent, has criticized the EFCC for targeting political opponents only in its anti-corruption efforts, specifically referring to the case of Tambuwal.

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