Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed has suspended the AGF Ahmed Idris over a N80 billion fraud investigation
The Accountant General of the Federation of Nigeria, Ahmed Idris, has been suspended by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, over a N80 billion fraud.
The minister’s suspension was announced in a letter dated May 18, 2022, in which she stated that the decision was necessary to “provide for proper and unhindered inquiry into the serious allegations in accordance with Public Service Rules 030406.”
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 suggested,” according to the ministry, during the unpaid suspension time.
The suspension is the latest development in the N80 billion corruption scandal involving the Accountant General of the Federation of Nigeria, who was detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“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 agency’s spokesman, Uwujaren’s statement read.
“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.”
According to him, the money was laundered through real estate deals in Kano and Abuja. Idris was detained after failing to react to the EFCC’s invitations to respond to concerns related to the fraudulent act, according to an EFCC spokeswoman.
