Tambuwal Alleges Political Motive in EFCC Detention Over ₦189bn Case

Former Sokoto State governor and serving senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has broken his silence on his recent encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Tambuwal was detained in Abuja by the anti-graft agency over allegations of a fraudulent cash withdrawal amounting to ₦189 billion.

Addressing supporters in Sokoto on Thursday, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was first invited by the EFCC and honoured the invitation voluntarily on August 6. After initial questioning, he was released but instructed to return for further interrogation on August 10 and 11.

He recounted that during the follow-up sessions, his legal team requested his release but EFCC officials insisted he must provide two sureties both directors in the Federal Civil Service with official letters of introduction from their employers.

“I told them to inform the EFCC chairman that I am a former Speaker of the House, a two-term governor, a serving senator, and a Commander of the Order of the Niger. I should be granted bail on self-recognition” he said.

Tambuwal claimed the request was rejected and he was detained until the bail conditions were met the following day. He alleged that the detention was politically motivated, vowing not to be silenced.

“I cannot be intimidated or blackmailed, and no one can tarnish my record. In Nigeria today, there are two sides: those with Bola Tinubu and his government, and those with the people of Nigeria. We stand with the people” he declared.