Breaking: EFCC arrests Nigeria’s Accountant General, Ahmed Idris over N80 billion fraud

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the country’s Accountant General, Ahmed Idris over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds.

Mr. Idris was reportedly intercepted in Kano by operatives of the EFCC on Monday evening and will be flown to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, for interrogation.

The agency confirmed the arrest on its Twitter page.

EFCC Arrests Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation, for N80billion Fraud

Operatives of the EFCC on Monday, May 16, 2022 arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris,… pic.twitter.com/OyZOgTwIQx

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) May 16, 2022

The EFCC said Idris was arrested “…in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80billion (Eighty Billion Naira) only.

“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.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja. Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts.” The tweet ends.

 Idris was first appointed in June 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed as Accountant General in 2019 for the second term of 4 years.

Erradicating bureaucratic corruption was one of the supposed main agendas of President Muhhamadu Buhari coming to power but not much has been achieved in the fight. Observers have noted that the fight against corruption is basically against politicians or officials with opposition leaning. It is also believed in some quarters that the fight is mainly centered on persons outside the president’s tribe.