EFCC Invites Ihedioha As Tambuwal Detained Overnight by EFCC Over ₦189bn Fraud Allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, overnight over allegations of massive financial misappropriation during his tenure.

According to reports, Tambuwal voluntarily appeared at the EFCC headquarters at about 11:16 am on Monday following an official invitation from the anti-graft agency. However, after a day of questioning regarding alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion, he was taken into custody pending further clarifications.

Sources within the commission clarified that Tambuwal was not technically “arrested” as widely reported but was held after failing to provide satisfactory explanations for the alleged financial transactions.

“He was invited to explain what he used ₦189 billion for, but he couldn’t account for it. He will remain with us until tomorrow or until he is ready to provide meaningful explanations,” an EFCC official stated.

The withdrawals in question are reportedly in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. The commission insists Tambuwal must provide detailed accounts of how the funds were expended.

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Tambuwal Faces Political and Legal Crossfire

Close associates of the former governor allege that the EFCC’s investigation is politically motivated. A source familiar with the matter claimed Tambuwal’s troubles began four months ago when allies of President Bola Tinubu allegedly approached him to align politically with the current administration.

“We wondered how we could in good conscience work with the government given the insecurity and poverty in the country, especially in the North. After declining, we heard nothing until the EFCC’s recent move,” the source revealed.

The insider further alleged that the EFCC failed to provide specific allegations initially, but suspicions point towards funds received from the World Bank during Tambuwal’s administration. According to the source, these funds were disbursed through bank channels and later cleared by the World Bank without irregularity.

In the political twist, another associate pointed out that Sokoto’s current governor, Aliyu Sokoto, who served as Tambuwal’s deputy at one time, was deeply involved in state decisions during that period but has not been named in the probe, possibly due to constitutional immunity.

Ihedioha Also on EFCC Radar

In a related development, the EFCC has extended an invitation to another former governor, Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, to answer questions over alleged financial irregularities during his brief tenure.

Daily Trust reports that the commission, in a letter dated July 18, 2025, signed by EFCC Director of Investigation Abdukarim Chukkol, requested that certain Imo State officials be released for questioning on August 11, 2025. The EFCC is reportedly probing transactions between May 29, 2019, and January 14, 2020.

The letter instructed the officials to appear with all payment approvals, vouchers, returns, and schedules of payments within that period. Ihedioha, who was out of the country, has since returned and is expected to honour the invitation this week.

According to sources, Ihedioha also faced political overtures from Tinubu’s allies about six months ago but declined to align with the ruling administration—a decision some believe may have triggered renewed scrutiny from anti-graft agencies.

High-Profile Probes and Political Undercurrents

The detainment of Tambuwal and the summons for Ihedioha underscore the EFCC’s heightened focus on financial accountability among Nigeria’s political elite. However, the overlap between political rivalries and anti-corruption efforts continues to fuel debate over whether such probes are impartial or politically driven.

While the EFCC maintains its commitment to fighting corruption in line with existing laws, political observers note that the agency’s timing and choice of targets often coincide with strategic political realignments.

For now, all eyes are on the commission’s next move—whether the investigations will result in formal charges or fade into the background amid Nigeria’s complex political landscape.