By Mohammed Bello Doka
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Tuesday led a high-powered delegation to the Abuja residence of former Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in a show of solidarity following his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Tambuwal was taken into custody by the EFCC on Monday, August 11, 2025, over allegations of unauthorized cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his eight-year tenure as governor, a move the anti-graft agency claims breaches the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He is still undergoing interrogation in Abuja.
Malami, a senior figure in the opposition coalition, described Tambuwal as a “brother and friend” and said his visit was not just about personal loyalty but also about defending democratic principles against what he called “investigations that bear all the hallmarks of political persecution.”
“This is not about one man. It is about the sanctity of the rule of law. We must stand against selective justice and ensure that due process is not sacrificed on the altar of politics,” Malami said.
Both Malami and Tambuwal are leading members of the opposition alliance preparing to challenge the ruling party in the next general elections. Political analysts say the timing of the EFCC’s action—coming at a time when the opposition is consolidating—raises serious questions about whether the probe is aimed at weakening the coalition’s leadership ahead of 2027.
During the closed-door meeting, discussions reportedly focused on strategies to strengthen opposition unity, safeguard democratic freedoms, and resist intimidation tactics.
Tambuwal, for his part, has dismissed the allegations, insisting that all financial transactions during his administration were duly approved, documented, and in line with the law.
The EFCC has yet to release an official statement responding to claims of political motivation, but opposition leaders have vowed to resist any attempt to use state institutions as tools of partisan warfare.
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