CRIME: EFCC GRILLS TAMBUWAL, IHEDIOHA
Some leaders of opposition groups are being grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial malfeasance.
As at the time of going to press, Sen Aminu Tambuwal and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha are in detention following an EFCC invitation to its Abuja headquarters on Monday.
Both are close allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition.
Tambuwal is allegedly interrogated over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his 2015–2023 tenure as Sokoto State governor.
An EFCC source said that the withdrawals were in “flagrant violation” of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“He wasn’t arrested as reported in some quarters. He was invited to explain what he used ₦189 billion for, but could not do so satisfactorily. He will remain with us until he can provide meaningful explanations,” the official said.
“Do you know what ₦189 billion can do for the Sokoto State or the country?”
The commission has also invited Ihedioha, who served as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives when Tambuwal was speaker.
In a letter dated July 18 and signed by EFCC Director of Investigation, Abdukarim Chukkol, the Secretary to the State Government of Imo has been asked to release certain officials for an interview on August 11, 2025. The officials were directed to bring payment approvals, vouchers, and schedules of payments covering May 29, 2019, to January 14, 2020, during Ihedioha’s administration.
