The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, a day after detaining him over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to N189 billion.
Tambuwal, who now serves as the Senator representing Sokoto South, regained his freedom on Tuesday after fulfilling his bail conditions.
The ex-governor, who also held the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, had honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday, arriving at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja around 11:30 a.m.
He was subsequently questioned and kept in custody overnight.
According to EFCC sources, the withdrawals under investigation are believed to have breached the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The withdrawals were in flagrant violation of the Act,” an official stated, adding that the probe is still ongoing.
A source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Tambuwal had been released.
“He has been granted administrative bail. He met the bail conditions and has been released,” the source said.
Repeated attempts to contact EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, proved unsuccessful as calls to his phone were unanswered and messages were not returned.
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned Tambuwal’s detention, describing it as political persecution.
In a post on X, Atiku alleged it was part of a strategy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pressure opposition leaders into joining the All Progressives Congress.
“The only reason the @officialEFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, @AWTambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition coalition.
“It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition,” he wrote.
