The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday made what could count as its most high profile arrest in recent times.
The anti-graft commission arrested the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, over an alleged N80 billion fraud.
He was arrested yesterday in Kano State and was immediately moved to Abuja last night. EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest in a statement. He said the funds were allegedly laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
Uwujaren said Idris was arrested after failing to honour the Commission’s invitations to respond to issues connected to the alleged fraudulent act.
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He is being held in EFCC facility in Abuja.
“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, May 16, 2022, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion (Eighty Billion Naira only),” Uwujaren’s statement read.
“The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.”
According to the EFCC, the funds were laundered via real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Idris as AGF on June 25, 2015. The position became vacant at the time after the former Accountant General, Jonah Otunla, left office on June 12, 2015.
President Buhari reappointed Idris for a second four-year term in June 2019, amid criticisms from labour groups, who said the accountant-general should retire after turning 60.