The Accountant General of Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been suspended indefinitely by the federal government of Nigeria through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him over an alleged fraud of N80 billion.
The Minister in a letter dated May 18, 2022, stated that the suspension “without pay” was to allow for “proper and unhindered investigation” in line with Public Service Rules. She also added that during the suspension period, Mr Idris is 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”.
After his arrest on Monday, EFCC announced that Mr Idris was involved in the diversion of public funds and also laundering of N80 billion.
According to the agency head of media and public information, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, “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.”
Uwujaren added that the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and in Abuja.
