Amanze ChinonyeThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday detained former Sokoto State Governor and serving Senator, Aminu Tambuwal, over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his tenure in office.
Tambuwal, who governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023 and currently represents Sokoto South in the Senate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 11:30 a.m.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSources within the commission confirmed he is being interrogated in connection with suspected violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined immediate comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The current probe draws from a 2022 joint EFCC and Central Bank of Nigeria report, which alleged that between January 2015 and August 2021, Sokoto State accounts recorded “unusual inflows” of about ₦567 billion, out of which ₦189 billion was allegedly diverted to government officials, individuals, and unnamed agencies through suspicious withdrawals.
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Back in April 2022, the Sokoto State Government, through Tambuwal’s then media adviser Muhammad Bello, dismissed the claims as “false in all material particulars” and “politically motivated.” The administration challenged the EFCC to produce proof of wrongdoing and stressed Sokoto’s track record for fiscal transparency, citing the World Bank’s 2020 ranking of the state as top performer in public financial management reforms, as well as the creation of oversight bodies such as the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
The case is one of the largest alleged subnational fraud investigations in Nigeria’s recent history, spotlighting persistent questions about financial accountability in state governance.
If proven, the alleged diversion of ₦189 billion nearly three times Sokoto State’s 2023 budget could have deprived the state of critical funding for healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The arrest also underscores the EFCC’s renewed focus on high-profile political figures, signaling potential legal and political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tambuwal remains in EFCC custody as of press time, with investigations expected to determine whether the case will proceed to formal charges. The senator is yet to issue a fresh statement, but his earlier position remains that the allegations are unfounded and driven by political interests.
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