Peter Obi faults EFCC’s arrest of Tambuwal

Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has faulted the arrest and interrogation of Senator Aminu Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations.

Obi, who said fighting corruption must be transparent to succeed, claimed that the arrest of Tambuwal “opened up an existing contradiction apparent in the fight against corruption in the country.”

Taking to his X handle on Tuesday, the former governor of Anambra State argued that much of the success of the anti-graft war would depend on the sincerity of leaders, adding that it must also not be “one targeting political opponents and perceived enemies of the incumbent government.”

Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, was arrested and detained by the EFCC over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to about ₦189 billion (about $123 million).

The withdrawals, suspected to have been made incrementally during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023, were taken from multiple government accounts, including the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Government House Account, and the Secretary to the State Government Account.

The EFCC’s investigation considers these withdrawals in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

But, reacting to the development on Tuesday, Obi faulted the approach adopted by the EFCC, alleging political vendetta.

“I expect the anti-graft operatives to be guided by their conscience and the rule of law if they hope to achieve much in wiping out corruption in our society.

“The rules of evidence and fact must replace impressions and preconceptions”, he tweeted.

Obi added, “In a credible fight against corruption, the public must be convinced that the rules are even and the subjects are not arbitrarily selected by the political convenience of the powers that be.

“A corruption-free Nigeria is possible only if our fight is transparent.”

Tambuwal was also the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.

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