{"id":121370,"date":"2025-08-12T05:41:32","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T04:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=121370"},"modified":"2025-08-12T05:41:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T04:41:32","slug":"efcc-grills-senator-tambuwal-over-alleged-%e2%82%a6189-billion-cash-transaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/efcc-grills-senator-tambuwal-over-alleged-%e2%82%a6189-billion-cash-transaction\/","title":{"rendered":"EFCC Grills Senator Tambuwal Over Alleged \u20a6189 Billion Cash Transaction\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
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Nigeria\u2019s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday took former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, into custody over allegations of massive and suspicious cash withdrawals totaling \u20a6189 billion during his eight-year tenure as governor.<\/div>\n
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Tambuwal, 59, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at approximately 11:30 a.m., was immediately ushered in for interrogation by a team of investigators. The questioning, according to EFCC insiders, is tied to financial transactions carried out between 2015 and 2023 that may have violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.<\/div>\n
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While official details remain sketchy, sources familiar with the probe revealed that investigators are examining records of large-scale withdrawals allegedly funneled into the accounts of private individuals and political associates.<\/div>\n
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According to a source who craves anonymity, the withdrawals are suspected to be in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u201cThis is not a new investigation, it’s been active since at least April 2022. The scale and nature of the transactions raised multiple red flags.<\/div>\n
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“Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal is being held over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of N189billion.<\/div>\n
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“The withdrawals are in flagrant violation of the Money Laundering( Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. The governor arrived at the EFCC’s head quarters around 11:30am and facing interrogators on the alleged financial crime.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Tambuwal\u2019s arrest marks the most significant legal challenge yet for the prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure, whose political career spans over two decades and includes a stint as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.<\/div>\n
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This is not his first clash with the EFCC. In 2017, the Commission publicly criticized his decision to grant state pardons to former officials facing prosecution over a separate \u20a615 billion fraud case linked to ex-governor Attahiru Bafarawa\u2019s administration. The EFCC had insisted that a sitting governor lacked the constitutional authority to halt federal criminal proceedings.<\/div>\n
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The latest development could evolve into one of Nigeria\u2019s most high-profile corruption trials if formal charges are filed. Analysts say it will test the strength of the country’s anti-corruption laws and the political resolve to hold influential figures accountable.<\/div>\n
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Tambuwal\u2019s political career has been marked by both influence and controversy. A former Speaker of the House of Representatives (2011\u20132015), he served two terms as governor of Sokoto State, during which time several financial decisions drew the attention of anti-graft bodies.<\/div>\n
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In 2017, he faced backlash from the EFCC for issuing state pardons to former officials facing prosecution in a \u20a615 billion corruption case from the Bafarawa administration. The EFCC at the time argued that Tambuwal lacked the constitutional authority to interfere in federal prosecutions.<\/div>\n
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Tambuwal, who remains a powerful voice within the PDP and Nigerian politics at large, has yet to make a public statement regarding the ongoing investigation.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n