The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, less than 24 hours after detaining him over alleged fraudulent withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion.
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday, arriving at the commission’s Abuja headquarters shortly after 11 a.m. He was interrogated for several hours on transactions the agency alleges breached the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, before being held overnight.
EFCC sources confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart met his bail conditions and was released on Tuesday afternoon. The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment.
The development has sparked a political uproar, with opposition leaders accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponising the EFCC to target political rivals.
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the arrest as “politically motivated” and part of “a broader agenda to harass, intimidate and decimate the opposition.” He warned on X that such actions could endanger Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The Sokoto State PDP described the arrest as an attempt to smear Tambuwal’s image and compel defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) decried what it called “selective prosecution,” noting that other opposition leaders had also been targeted.
EFCC insiders say the investigation remains ongoing, with more witnesses expected to be invited in the coming days. Tambuwal’s camp has yet to issue a formal response, but analysts warn the case could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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