Panic As EFCC Invites Coalition Leaders, Atiku’s Friend Already Arrested And Detained

Fresh details have emerged over the ongoing probe of two opposition figures, former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

According to reports, the two leaders were recently invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Tambuwal, a close ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition, was detained on Monday after honouring an EFCC invitation to its Abuja headquarters at about 11:16 a.m.

He is allegedly being 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 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.

Associates of Tambuwal allege the investigation is politically motivated. One aide claimed the issue began four months ago when individuals linked to the government urged Tambuwal to join President Bola Tinubu’s political “train.”

“We asked ourselves how we could, in good conscience, work with the government, given the poverty and insecurity in the country, especially in the North,” the source said.

He alleged the matter resurfaced three weeks ago when Tambuwal received an EFCC letter seeking details of his time as governor.

“They failed to give specifics. We suspect it may relate to World Bank funds disbursed during his tenure. These were paid through bank accounts, and he was given a clean bill of health by the World Bank,” the aide said.

Another source noted that Sokoto State governor Aliyu Sokoto, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), once Tambuwal’s deputy, was involved in many of the decisions under investigation.

“For fairness, the EFCC ought to mention his name too, even though he has immunity,” the source said, adding that other former Sokoto officials have been invited.

Similarly, sources say Ihedioha received a similar overture months ago to join the Tinubu camp before his own EFCC summons. Having recently returned from abroad, he is expected to honour the invitation this week.

Tambuwal, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a figure in the ADC-led coalition, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others.