The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, on bail after grilling him over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion.

Naijaonpoint reports that Tambuwal, who governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023, honoured an EFCC invitation on Monday and arrived at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja around 11:30 a.m.

Investigators interrogated him before being detained at the agency’s corporate headquarters.

According to EFCC sources who spoke to Punch, the withdrawals under investigation are suspected of violating the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

A source said on Monday, “Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, is being held over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of ₦189bn. The withdrawals are in flagrant violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Another EFCC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the former governor was in custody while the investigation continued.

On Tuesday, EFCC sources disclosed that Tambuwal had been granted administrative bail after meeting his conditions, which were described as “not stringent.”

“He has been released on administrative bail. He met all the bail conditions. His passport is with us,” an official said.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has once again doubled down on its stance that the government is using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass and intimidate opposition party leaders.

Naijaonpoint reports that the opposition party was reacting to Monday’s overnight detention of one of the leaders of the coalition and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, and the invitation to Imo State Government officials to “urgently” provide information on the seven-month tenure of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.