The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on administrative bail after detaining him over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
Tambuwal was invited to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, arriving at about 11:30 a.m. He was questioned for several hours by investigators before being detained at the commission’s corporate headquarters.
According to EFCC insiders, the transactions in question are suspected to be in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, is being held over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of ₦189bn. The withdrawals are in flagrant violation of the Money Laundering Act,” a source within the agency said.
On Tuesday, sources confirmed that Tambuwal had met his bail requirements — described as “not stringent” — and was released. However, the EFCC retained his passport as part of ongoing investigations.
“He has been released on administrative bail. He met all the bail conditions. His passport is with us,” an EFCC official disclosed.
Attempts to reach EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered and messages remained unreplied at press time.
The case is part of a wider EFCC crackdown on high-profile financial crimes, with the commission expected to intensify its probe into the alleged illicit withdrawals in the coming weeks.
