The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expanded the scope of its investigation into the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to N170 billion.
Idris, who was fighting for bail late last night, has spoken out against some high-ranking government officials who were allegedly involved in some transactions.
The EFCC has questioned a Permanent Secretary about some “deals” in which he was involved.
The anti-graft agency was also pursuing a minister linked to the allegations levelled against the suspended AGF.
Idris was arrested after he turned down 80 invitations from the EFCC, according to reports.
EFCC detectives have made startling discoveries about some transactions in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, according to an investigation by our correspondent (OAGF).
Although the AGF was initially accused of an alleged N80 billion fraud, investigations have revealed another N90 billion fraud.
There were rumours that the AGF had promised the EFCC that he would return some money to the government’s coffers.
“The EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa and his team have made substantial progress so far,” a reliable source said in confidence.
“This is one of the biggest scandals exposed by Bawa’s administration.
“According to preliminary investigations, the suspended AGF will now be held liable for N170 billion.” Detectives are still looking into his office activities.
“Since his arrest on May 16th, he has provided useful information, including information about some suspicious accounts and transactions.”
According to reports, the AGF has also made a list of government officials involved in some financial activities in the OAGF available.
“A Federal Permanent Secretary was invited and interrogated by the EFCC last week as part of his disclosures during the investigation,” the source continued.
“At the moment, the Permanent Secretary is out on bail, and his movements are restricted to Abuja.” The Permanent Secretary provided investigators with some useful information.
“A minister was also named as a suspect.
“We need to confirm whether the suspect’s ties to the minister were genuine or if he was just desperate to implicate others.”
The source explained why Idris was pursued to Kano in order to apprehend him.
“According to records, the suspended AGF was invited by the commission about 80 times, but he declined for reasons best known to him. Simply put, he was evasive.
“He was then pursued to Kano, where he was apprehended on May 16.” As of yesterday, he was still being held in custody, but he has been granted bail.
“He has to meet the bail conditions, which he has been battling to do since Sunday.”
Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, said in a statement on May 16 that Idris was arrested after he allegedly refused to accept the invitation.
“Operations of the EFCC arrested serving Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, on May 16 in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion only,” the statement said.
“The AGF raked in the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members, and close associates, according to the commission’s verified intelligence.”
“The money was laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja,” according to the report.
“Idris was arrested after he failed to respond to the EFCC’s invitations to respond to issues related to the fraudulent acts.”
