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N170 Billion Fraud: EFCC releases suspended AGF Idris from custody

The EFCC confirmed the release of the suspended accountant-general to The Gazette on Thursday.

• June 2, 2022
Ahmed Idris
Ex-Accountant General Ahmed Idris

Ahmed Idris, the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation arrested for money laundering, has been released from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody.

Confirming the development to Peoples Gazette, Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency told Peoples Gazette that Mr Idris was released on Wednesday night.

“Yes he has been released, he was released on Wednesday night,” Mr Uwujaren said when asked if the embattled accountant general has been released.

Mr Uwujaren who declined to make further comments on the release however told The Gazette that he was not privy to information on the Accountant general’s condition for release.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Mr Idris on May 16 in Kano after he refused to respond to invitations to answer questions about the fraud charges.

The embattled accountant-general was subsequently suspended on May 18 by Ms Ahmed, who cited the EFCC’s allegation that he stole and laundered more than N80 billion. Later, reports of another N90 billion fraud was traced to the Mr Idris.

President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently appointed Anamekwe Nwabuoku to replace Mr Idris.

Mr Idris was appointed as the Federation’s Accountant-General on June 25, 2015 by Mr Buhari.

Mr Idris was reappointed for a second four-year term in June 2019, prompting considerable criticism that the controversial accountant general had exceeded the required service time.

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