EFCC Grills Ex-Gov Tambuwal Over Staggering ₦189bn Fraud Allegation -

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC, has detained a former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, for questioning over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of ₦189 billion.

It said the withdrawals were in flagrant violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.

A source at the commission who declined to be named confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Monday.

It was learnt that Tambuwal arrived at the EFCC Abuja corporate headquarters at about 11:30 am and is still facing interrogators on the alleged financial crime.

EFCC Secures Convictions of Fraudsters

Meanwhile Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, convicted and sentenced 15 internet fraudsters to various jail terms

The convicts are Osasere Uyi, Osayande Godstime Edosa, Ewaen Agbonma, Godstime Ehighagwan, Peter Miracle, Ehondor Lucky Etinosa, Ezomo Osamudiamen Desmond, Itobore Divine, Iyase Aisosa, Dominion Idehen, Ejiroghene Theophilus, Destiny Nosakhare, Efosa Imuetintan, Ahmed Aliyui and Samuel Osakpamwan

They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.

The charge against Godstime Ehighagwan reads: “That you Godstime Ehighagwan (m) on or about the 31st of July, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, on your iPhone 15 pro Max with IMEI Number 358759859798828, documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

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All the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K Agwai, K. Y. Bello, A.S.Bala-Ribah and M.S.Dahiru to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Osasere Uyi, Osayande Godstime Edosa, Ewaen Agbonma, Godstime Ehighagwan, Peter Miracle, Ehondor Lucky Etinosa, Ezomo Osamudiamen Desmond, Itobore Divine, Iyase Aisosa, Dominion Idehen, Ejiroghene Theophilus, Destiny Nosakhare, Efosa Imuetintan, Ahmed Aliyui and Samuel Osakpamwan to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two hundred Thousand Naira)

All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and balances in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC through a sting operation owing to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities. They were subsequently charged to court and jailed.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a Nigerian law enforcement and anti-graft agency that investigates financial crimes and unknown transactions such as advance fee fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering.

The EFCC was established in 2003, partially in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries non-cooperative in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering.

The agency has its head office in Abuja, Nigeria. The EFCC was also set up to fight against corruption and protect the country from economic saboteurs.