EFCC releases ex-governor Tambuwal, warns ADC against politicising probes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on administrative bail.
This comes as the anti-graft agency issues a strong warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for what it calls an attempt to politicise corruption investigations.
Tambuwal, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, was taken into custody on Monday after honouring an invitation from the EFCC.
The former governor was questioned over allegations of fraudulently withdrawing around ₦189 billion during his time as governor.
READ ALSO: EFCC grills Tambuwal over ₦189bn fraud allegations
A senior EFCC official, speaking anonymously, said Tambuwal was detained after he allegedly “failed to satisfactorily respond to investigators’ questions.” The source added, “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.” It remains unclear whether Tambuwal will face charges.
The ADC had publicly accused the EFCC of targeting opposition politicians with “politically motivated summonses.” The EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, dismissed this claim as “self-serving, diversionary, and idle.”
Olukoyede stated, “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.”
READ ALSO: Ex-Tambuwal’s commissioner denies involvement in ₦16.1 billion loot
He pointed out that the EFCC’s investigations cross political lines, with 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 investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said.
He maintained that many serving state governors of different political parties are under investigation and that the EFCC would not be “blackmailed into making full disclosures” of its ongoing cases.
Olukoyede reiterated that the “only immunity against investigation is accountability and probity.” He concluded by stressing that the EFCC “belongs to the Nigerian people” and operates impartially.
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