EFCC grants Tambuwal bail over alleged ₦189bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, administrative bail after questioning him over alleged financial misconduct involving the withdrawal of about ₦189 billion during his tenure.

A senior EFCC official, who spoke anonymously, said Tambuwal was released after providing the necessary information to investigators. “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. EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development but declined further comment.

Tambuwal, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday, arriving at the commission’s Abuja headquarters at 11:16 a.m.

Reacting to the development, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said Nigeria’s anti-graft war must be transparent and sincere to be effective. In a statement on his verified X account, Obi described Tambuwal’s arrest as a reminder of the contradictions in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

“The fight against corruption in our country must be transparent to succeed,” Obi said. He stressed that anti-corruption laws should apply equally to everyone and not be used to target political opponents or perceived enemies of the government.

Obi urged anti-graft agencies to be guided by conscience and the rule of law, replacing “impressions and preconceptions” with facts and evidence. He maintained that for the public to trust the process, the rules must be even and not influenced by political convenience.