The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State and currently a serving senator, over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion. The suspicious transactions reportedly violate the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, and occurred during Tambuwal’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Tambuwal was taken into custody at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on August 11, 2025, where he has been undergoing interrogation over the alleged large-scale unauthorized withdrawals of public funds. Investigators believe the withdrawals were structured to evade scrutiny and may be part of a broader money laundering scheme.
The arrest happens amid political tensions, with sources from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to which Tambuwal belongs accusing the EFCC of selective prosecution and political witch-hunting targeting opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC claims the EFCC has been weaponized by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for political intimidation, pointing out that investigations into allies of the ruling party have been conspicuously absent.
Tambuwal, who previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives before his governorship, denies any wrongdoing. EFCC has so far declined official comment, pending conclusion of the interrogation.
This case represents one of the largest single-governor cash withdrawal probes in recent history and has raised concerns about both corruption and political interference in Nigeria’s anti-graft efforts.
