A dark cloud is gathering around former Nasarawa State Governor and current senator, Tanko Al-Makura, as he and his wife face grilling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a trail of allegedly suspicious financial transactions linked to their names, businesses, and associates.
Standarddailypress learned that the couple was arrested on Wednesday by EFCC operatives, though the agency has yet to make an official statement. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the probe stems from concerns about structured cash flows that may point to money laundering and corruption during Al-Makura’s tenure as governor from 2011 to 2019.
According to insiders, 55 bank accounts—directly or indirectly linked to the former governor, his wife, and affiliated companies like Ta’al Hotel in Lafia—are at the center of the EFCC’s investigation. These accounts allegedly received multiple large deposits structured to avoid regulatory detection thresholds.
One startling revelation: a particular domiciliary account, which reportedly had less than $250 before Al-Makura took office, began receiving suspiciously large deposits shortly after he assumed power.
“The pattern was structured. Payments came in small tranches from companies that allegedly handled contracts for the Nasarawa State government,” said a source close to the investigation. “There are strong indications that these were not innocent transactions.”
In one instance, a company allegedly paid over ₦200 million, sliced into nine separate transactions, all on August 9, 2016, into an account controlled by the Al-Makuras. Similar patterns were observed in the weeks that followed—raising questions about kickbacks, contract inflation, and abuse of office.
Even more damning, some transfers reportedly came directly from the state government into private companies linked to the couple. Investigators are working to determine the justification for such transactions and whether state funds were funneled into personal accounts under the guise of legitimate deals.
While the EFCC has yet to officially confirm the arrests or details of the case, the silence has only fueled speculation. When contacted by journalists, Al-Makura’s spokesperson, Danjuma Joseph, claimed he was unaware of any such development involving his principal.
The former governor, known for his relatively low profile in the national political scene, now finds himself at the center of a potentially explosive financial scandal—one that may test both the resolve of anti-graft agencies and the credibility of Nigeria’s commitment to transparency in public service.
Whether this probe results in charges or a quiet settlement remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that the era of opaque governance is facing greater scrutiny. And for Al-Makura, the road ahead may be anything but smooth.
