EFCC Quizzes Tambuwal Over ₦189bn Withdrawals, Invites Ihedioha for Questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State governor and serving senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for questioning over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion during his tenure in office.

According to reliable sources, Tambuwal arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 11:16 a.m. on Monday in response to an invitation from the commission. He was interrogated over the withdrawals, which investigators claim violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

While the EFCC maintains that he was not “arrested” but merely taken into custody pending his ability to provide satisfactory explanations, insiders disclosed that he will remain with the agency until further clarifications are made.

Sources close to the former governor have alleged that the development is politically motivated, claiming Tambuwal’s troubles began months ago after he declined overtures to align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They hinted that the investigation could be linked to World Bank funds disbursed to Sokoto State during his tenure — funds the World Bank reportedly cleared as properly utilised.

In a related development, the EFCC has invited former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, for questioning. A letter from the agency, dated July 18 and signed by its Director of Investigation, requested certain state officials to appear before its Economic Governance Section with documents covering financial transactions from May 29, 2019, to January 14, 2020.

Ihedioha, who recently returned to Nigeria after a trip abroad, is expected to honour the invitation this week. Both politicians have previously served together in the House of Representatives, where Tambuwal was Speaker and Ihedioha served as Deputy Speaker.