The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, a day after detaining him over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling N189 billion.
According to The Punch, Tambuwal, now representing Sokoto South in the Senate, was freed 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 he was interrogated and detained overnight.
According to EFCC sources, the withdrawals under investigation allegedly violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. “The withdrawals were in flagrant violation of the Act,” one official said, adding that the probe is ongoing.
The Punch also reported that a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed his release. “He has been granted administrative bail. He met the bail conditions and has been released,” the source said.
Meanwhile, former vice president and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the detention, calling it political persecution.
In a post on X, Atiku alleged the move was part of a plan by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pressure opposition figures into joining the All Progressives Congress.
“The only reason the @officialEFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, @AWTambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition coalition. It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition,” Atiku wrote.
