Idris coughs out N30b for EFCC after he was granted bail
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Suspended federal Accountant General Idris Ahmed has coughed out N30 billion to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the N170 billion he allegedly stole from the treasury, which cost him his job.
EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa disclosed the recovered fund at the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team in the Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Idris was arrested by the EFCC on 16 May over a series of fraudulent activities which were initially estimated to be worth N84 billion, exposed by whistleblowers in the Office of the Accountant General.
Three days after his arrest, he was suspended by Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed.
During questioning by the anti-graft agency, Idris disclosed names, companies, and a huge sum money; all of them currently under probe.
Bawa said other recoveries in 2022 include N134,33,759,574.25; $121,769,076.30; £21,020.00; €156,925.00; ¥21,350.00; and CFA300,000.00.
He announced nationwide auction of forfeited vehicles will be followed by the sale of more than 150 houses to interested buyers, according to reporting by The PUNCH.
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Idris granted bail
The EFCC granted Idris administrative bail in June after 16 days in detention.
EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwajaren said bail was granted despite the huge loot many analysts feared he could deploy in buying his freedom.
“We only released him on administrative bail. He has been released from our custody for now,” Uwujaren explained.
The investigation of Idris links former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari to the obscene theft of public funds.
There is also speculation a serving Minister is neck deep in the alleged N170 billion theft.
“I can authoritatively confide in you that Yari is still with us. He’s still providing us necessary details on how over N100 billion disappeared from the suspended accountant-general of the Federation who has just been released” Uwujaren told Daily Trust in June.