THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor and Ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from custody after granting him administrative bail, even as the anti-graft agency issued a stern warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over what it described as attempts to politicise ongoing corruption investigations.
Tambuwal was detained at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday after honouring an invitation from the commission.
The former governor, who arrived at about 11:16am, was grilled over allegations of the fraudulent withdrawal of about N189 billion during his tenure as Sokoto State governor.
According to a senior EFCC operative who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity, Tambuwal was taken into custody after allegedly failing to satisfactorily respond to investigators’ questions.
“He has already been granted administrative bail.
“We’ve extracted what we need from him and he will soon leave our headquarters after perfecting his bail conditions,” the source said, without confirming whether the politician would eventually face charges in court.
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for an official comment proved unsuccessful, as calls to his phone were unanswered and a text message sent to him remained unreplied at press time.
Tambuwal’s detention coincided with a strongly worded statement from the EFCC leadership rebuking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for what it called an “unprovoked attack” on the commission over its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons.
The ADC had accused the EFCC of targeting opposition politicians with politically motivated summonses based on “old cases,” a claim the commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, dismissed as “self-serving, diversionary, and idle.”
“There is no time limit in criminal investigations. Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption.
“There are no sacred cows or partisan considerations in our work,” Olukoyede said.
He stressed that the EFCC’s investigative net cuts across political lines, pointing to ongoing probes involving serving governors, ministers, and senior figures in the ruling party.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” he stated.
Olukoyede maintained that many serving state governors of various political affiliations are under investigation and warned that the EFCC would not be “blackmailed into making full disclosures” of its ongoing cases.
“The opposition figures know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated our invitations. The only immunity against investigation is accountability and probity,” he said, adding that Nigerians should ignore politically charged statements.”
Tambuwal, a prominent PDP chieftain who served as Sokoto State governor from 2015 to 2023, has faced scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities during his administration.
Monday’s interrogation was part of broader investigations into large-scale withdrawals and other financial transactions carried out during his time in office.
While it is unclear if and when charges will be filed, EFCC sources said the investigation into Tambuwal’s case is ongoing and may extend to other officials from his administration.
The former governor’s questioning also comes amid heightened political tensions, with opposition parties accusing the EFCC of selective prosecution, a claim the commission continues to deny.
Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s stance that it belongs to all Nigerians and operates independently of political influence.
“The ADC was right to have admitted that the EFCC does not belong to the APC. It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party. That is exactly why we must remain impartial,” he said.