The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has confirmed the release of the suspended Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris from its custody.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed his release, said, he was released from custody on bail, on Wednesday night, and he has since reunited with his family.
AGF Ahmed Idris was arrested by the anti graft agency on May 16, 2022, for his alleged involvement in N80 billion fraud; but it was soon found by the EFCC upon interrogation that, the actual money figure ‘stolen’ amounted to N174 billion and not just the N80 billion initially declared.
Upon the revelations, and other confessional statement made by Mr. Ahmed Idris, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, issued him a letter of suspension, to enable him face his trials.
However, ever since the AGF’s probe, other information, indicting top government officials, have been brought to fore.
Former Zamfara State Gov. Abdulaziz Yari
Abdulaziz Yari, the former Governor of Zamfara state, was one of the senior government officials that have been indicted in connection with the N80 billion corruption charges against the suspended AGF.
Again, sources said, Ahmed Idris, while being questioned by EFCC, mentioned other individual names, and companies, that were involved in the alleged financial crime and provided traces of funds, which included: withdrawals, and deposits in local and foreign currencies in his confessional statement.
Interestingly, the newly appointed overseer of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, upon his assumption in office, was also accused of heavy corrupt practices when he was the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Ministry of Defence.
Mr. Anamekwe Nwabuoku
Allegations levied against Nwabuoku were: “over paying himself while in his previous offices; fraudulently acquiring properties; using the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) to steal salaries of federal government staff,” among few other allegations.