Nigerian Anti-graft Agency, EFCC Obtains Court Order To Detain N80bn Fraud-Linked Accountant-General, Ahmed Idris, For More Days

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a court decree to detain the arrested Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, for more days.

This was disclosed by an official of the anti-crime body who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity that the legal department of the commission secured the order within 24 hours after Idris was arrested in Kano.

But the source did not state the court where the order was obtained.

He explained that they have been relying on the order to keep him in their custody pending the conclusion of their investigation.

“He is still here with us, he has been cooperating. We will get to the root of the matter. The good thing is that our legal department has secured a court order helping us to hold him till we conclude our investigations,” the source was quoted as saying.

The official also noted that there is a high tendency that the former Accountant General of the Federation might spend days in EFCC’s custody, noting that the “evidence at our disposal is damning”.

He added that some of the properties linked to him in Abuja, Lagos and Kano might be forfeited temporarily, saying that the commission will also push for their permanent forfeiture to the Nigerian government.

The Nigerian Government on Wednesday announced the suspension of the embattled accountant-general with a view to allowing a thorough investigation into the allegations against him.

In a letter conveying Idris’ suspension, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed warned the embattled public official not to visit the office at any time.

“Following your recent arrest by EFCC on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective May 18, 2022,” the letter partly read.

Efforts to reach the spokesman for the commission, Wilson Uwujaren on the phone for comments and clarification were not successful.

Saharareporters