The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris over an N80 billion fraud.
EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed his arrest in a statement issued on Monday evening.
This is coming as Former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission said on Monday.
On the part of Idris’s arrest, Mr Uwujaren said Idris was arrested after failing to honour the commission’s invitations to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent act.
“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 N80 billion( Eighty Billion Naira only),” Uwujaren’s statement read.
“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.”
According to the EFCC, the funds were laundered via real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
Meanwhile, Magu has been promoted alongside seven other commissioners of police.
“The eight Commissioners of Police promoted to AIGs were; CP Mustafa Magu Ibrahim who is the most senior in the CP cadre and who missed the last two promotions after returning to the Police; Abraham Egong Ayim; Okunlola Kola Kamaldeen; Andrew Amieengheme; Akeera Mohammed Younous; Celestine Amechi Elumelu; Ngozi Vivian Onadeko and Danladi Bitrus Lalas (Airwing),” a statement signed by PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani said.
Magu served as acting Chairman of the EFCC from 2015 to 2020.
The Senate twice refused to confirm him his appointment.
Magu was later suspended along with several others for allegedly mismanaging funds of the commission, an allegation he repeatedly denied.
He was probed for over three months by a judicial panel of inquiry led by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.