The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has suspended the embattled Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, indefinitely.
This comes two days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him for an alleged N80 billion fraud.
Ahmed stated in a letter dated May 18, 2022 that the suspension would be “without pay” to allow for a “proper and unhindered investigation” in accordance with public service norms.
The anti-graft agency detained Idris in Kano state.
The EFCC has said that it is investigating the accountant-general for alleged funds misappropriation.
Idris was arrested after he failed to respond to the commission’s invitations to answer questions about the allegation, according to the agency.
“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 16, 2022, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, 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,” EFCC said.
