More details have emerged concerning the arrest of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Late Monday, the anti-graft agency confirmed it has apprehended the Accountant General over alleged links with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion.
The New Diplomat had also reported that Idris, who was arrested in Kano state, was immediately moved to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja for questioning and investigations.
In a statement, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the said funds were allegedly laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
Uwujaren also disclosed that the EFCC got intelligence report of how the AGF allegedly raked the N80bn through illegal activities. The spokesperson also confirmed that the arrest was made after Idris failed to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts.
The statement reads: “Operatives of the 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 N80billion (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.”
A source privy to the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, the EFCC has been conducting series of investigations on how Idris acquired several properties whose values ran into many billions of naira since he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the administrative head of the treasury in June 2015.
Recall that 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.
Buhari reappointed Idris for a second four-year term in June 2019, despite criticisms from labour groups, who said the accountant-general should retire after turning 60.
Idris, a native of Kano, was born on November 25, 1960, and was until his appointment in 2015 the Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
