EFCC: Suspended AGF received N15 billion bribe to expedite payment to oil-producing states
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris paid a N15 billion bribe to expedite the distribution of 13 percent derivation monies to oil-producing states (EFCC).
A benefit-sharing system called the 13 percent derivation fund aids in the distribution of cash for community development.
According to Nigeria’s constitution, section 162, subsection 2, the fund is distributed by the state governments to oil-producing areas out of federation earnings.
According to reports, in 2021 the 13 percent derivation formula resulted in the nine oil-producing states of Nigeria receiving a total of N450.60 billion from the federation account.
Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Lagos, and Abia are the states in question.
The EFCC claims that Idris accepted N15,136,221,921.46 in total as cash from Olusegun Akindele for speeding the payment of the states’ 13 percent derivation.
Between February and November 2021, Akindele served as the Accountant General of the Federation’s Technical Assistant.
On Friday, July 22, 2022, Idris is scheduled to appear before Justice A.O. Adeyemi Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, and him will be docked on a 14-count allegation of theft and criminal breach of trust for a total of N109,485,572,691.9.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Ahmed Idris between February and December, 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15,136,221,921.46 ( Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty One Naira and Forty Six Kobo) which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine (9) oil producing Sates in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.”
