Few days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Mr. Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), in connection with an alleged diversion of funds and money laundering activities totaling N80 billion, new information has emerged indicating that the anti-graft agency may soon arrest more officials.
According to the anti-graft agency, the AGF amassed the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities, employing proxies, family members, and close associates. According to the EFCC, the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to respond to EFCC invitations to respond to issues related to the fraudulent acts. A competent source in the EFCC, who requested anonymity, told the Saturday Sun that more staff, high-ranking officials, and other interested government officials involved in the financial heist will be arrested soon.
According to the source, what the public knows is only a smear on the surface of what the anti-graft agency has discovered so far. He claimed that the AGF was set to retire about two years ago but was reportedly extended by the presidency, despite a clear violation of civil service rules.
According to the source, Idris used numerous aliases to invest in and outside of Nigeria. He was perplexed as to how a public officer who was supposed to catch thieves had now become the thief. He mentioned the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and other Scandinavian countries where the Idris funds were invested. According to the EFCC source, the agency has already begun efforts to recover some of the assets, as well as reaching out to countries suspected of harboring some of the looted funds. He stated that once the investigations are completed, Idris will be charged in court. According to the source, Idris is collaborating with operatives to resolve the matter.
However, the committee has failed to fulfill this role completely over the last seven years. It has also failed to present a report to the Senate for proper deliberation, resulting in a position on financial mismanagement by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). With the new revelation and arrest of the AGF by the EFCC, there are concerns that the Senate leadership may tinker with the committee’s leadership for optimal performance. According to Senate sources, the issue will be extensively debated when the Senate reconvenes in June, following political party primaries.
