Minister implicated, more heads to roll as Governors, and the Chairman and Managing Director of Finex Professional, Anthony Yaro, are in trouble over the alleged fraud
The Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly caught Ahmed Idris, the embattled Accountant General in another alleged N90 billion fraud.
That brings to N174 billion (for now) the total fraud allegations against the suspended Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) after the first tranche of N84 billion for which he was arrested by the EFCC on May 16.
A source at the EFCC said that Idris, who was in custody when the fresh N90 bilion heist was uncovered, is already being confronted and queried on the allegation.
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Platforms Africa reports that Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed suspended Idris from office with effect from May 16 in a letter dated May 18.
The disclosure on Monday comes a day after the rejuvenated graft buster arrested former Zamfara Governor Abdul’aziz Yari for allegedly colluding with Idris to steal N22 billion from the original N84 billion of public money.
Yari’s arrest came just 24 hours after he won unopposed an All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest for Zamfara West senatorial seat.
Yari was arrested along with Anthony Yaro, the Chairman and Managing Director of Finex Professional, the company through which Yari allegedly benefited from the fraud.
Bawa began to raise the stakes against alleged treasury emptiers this year with the arrest on March 17 of former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano for allegedly misappropriating N42 billion while in office.
He was released on bail on March 23 after fulfilling his bail conditions.
Bawa nabbed and detained boastful former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha on May 24 over alleged N2.9 billion fraud while in office. He was charged to court on May 30 and remanded in EFCC custody pending determination of his bail application.
Idris opens up on top government officials involvement
Idris, who was battling for bail, has opened up on some top government officials allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions.
The EFCC has grilled a Permanent Secretary in connection with some “deals in which he was implicated” and is closing in on a Minister fingered in the allegations.
Idris was arrested on May 16 after he shunned 80 invitations by the EFCC.
Idris implicates Minister in probe
Investigation by The Nation shows that the EFCC discovered additional illegal transactions in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), which came up with the alleged new N90 billion scam.
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“So far, the EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa and his team have made substantial progress. This is one of the biggest scandals that Bawa’s administration has uncovered,” a source told The Nation.
“Based on preliminary investigation, the suspended AGF now will account for N170 billion. Detectives are still digging more into his activities in office.
“Since his arrest on May 16th, he has made useful disclosures including some suspicious accounts and transactions.
“As part of his disclosures during the investigation, a federal Permanent Secretary was invited and interrogated by the EFCC last week.
“The Permanent Secretary is presently on bail and his movement restricted to Abuja. The Permanent Secretary has made a useful statement to investigators.
“A Minister was also implicated. We have to verify whether or not the links with the Minister were real or maybe the suspect was just desperate to rope in others.”
