Maureen Okpe
The Federal Government has indefinitely, suspended the Accountant General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed, over alledged N80billion fraud.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this in a letter tittled ‘Letter of Suspension’ on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Ahmed, he is suspended without pay during this period, and not expected to be at work or have any contact with the office.
Confirming the suspension, the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, stated that, this was to allow proper investigation.
“The suspension is to allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations against him, in line with Public Service Rules.”
Recall that the EFCC had on Monday announced the arrest of the accountant general of the federation.
In a statement, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said: “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).
“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.The companies used in laundering the funds have allegedly been linked to family members and associates of the suspended accountant-general.”
Before his arrest, Idris was reportedly summoned repeatedly for interrogation but failed to honour the invitations.