..It’s politically motivated – ADC
…we’re non-partisan – EFCC
Aminu Tambuwal, former Sokoto State governor and senator representing Sokoto South, has spent over 24 hours in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud.
Tambuwal, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 11:16 am on Monday in response to an invitation, was subsequently detained.
A source close to the senator told Salient Times on Tuesday evening that he was still being held.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “He is still in custody. For now, there is no new development. Once we have updates, I will let you know.”
It was learnt that Tambuwal was questioned over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to N189 billion during his tenure as governor.
An EFCC source said, “He wasn’t arrested as reported in some media. He was invited to explain what he used N189 billion for, but couldn’t provide satisfactory answers, so he was taken into custody.
“People interpreted that as an arrest. He will remain here until he is ready to give meaningful explanations.
“The withdrawals are in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He must explain how the funds were spent.”
Following his detention, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the EFCC of being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary, the ADC claimed the EFCC’s interest in long-concluded tenures of opposition politicians, while ignoring “fresher, well-documented cases” involving APC members, was proof of selective justice.
Abdullahi noted that the EFCC had reopened cases against David Mark, the former Senate president who left office in 2015, and requested records from Imo State on the seven-month tenure of former governor Emeka Ihedioha.
“We wonder why the EFCC suddenly found it ‘urgent’ to investigate David Mark 10 years after leaving the Senate presidency, Ihedioha more than five years after his brief tenure as governor, and Tambuwal two years after leaving office.
“Ignoring APC members with fresh, well-documented cases while targeting the opposition with stale allegations is proof of selective justice and an assault on political freedom,” the statement read.
The ADC accused the APC of shielding defectors from EFCC scrutiny and cited the case of former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa. It warned that politicising the EFCC could erode public trust and undermine democratic institutions.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar echoed the ADC’s position, alleging that Tambuwal’s detention was politically motivated.
In a statement on X, Atiku described the EFCC’s action as part of a Tinubu administration strategy to weaken the opposition and coerce its members into joining the APC.
“Anyone who associates with the opposition becomes a target for phantom corruption allegations.
“Once they are coerced into the ruling party, their ‘sins’ are forgiven. This is not how to build institutions or fight corruption,” Atiku wrote.
Atiku, who played a role in establishing the EFCC during his tenure, condemned what he described as its use for partisan purposes, warning that such actions encourage corruption and risk creating a one-party dictatorship.
In response, the EFCC rejected the accusations. In a statement by spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission described the ADC’s comments as “self-serving, diversionary and idle,” insisting its operations are non-partisan and have “no sacred cows.”
Quoting Chairman Ola Olukoyede, Oyewale said, “If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving APC governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures. Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption.”
The EFCC maintained that it investigates allegations regardless of political affiliation or how much time has passed.
It urged Nigerians to ignore political statements aimed at “heating up the polity” and reaffirmed its commitment to working without fear or favour
