N80bn Fraud: FG Suspends Accountant-General, Ahmed Idris As EFCC Uncovers Choice Properties

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Ahmed Idris

The federal governemnt has suspended the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed disclosed this through a letter marked HMFBNP/AGF/SUSPENSION/5/2022 and dated 18th May, 2022.

The letter said the suspension became necessary to pave the way for proper and unhindered investigation into the allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406.

It reads, "Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May, 2022."

“During this period, you are not expected to attend to your place of work or contact any official in your office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised."

“It is expected that you will strictly comply with any instructions that will be forwarded to you in your current location or your known recorded address as stipulated in the extant rules.”

The suspension was on the heels of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Kano, on Monday over alleged diversion of N80bn.

This is even as the commission traced the diverted funds to choice properties acquired by Idris in Kano and Abuja, in addition to bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

The EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest in a statement.

He said that Idris was arrested after failing to honour the commission’s invitations to respond to issues connected to the alleged fraudulent act.

According to the statement, "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)."

“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."

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja," the statement added.

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