The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday disclosed that it had recovered N30 billion from the suspended Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, from the
N109 billion allegedly to have been fraudulently siphoned by him
The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, gave this hint at the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Bawa, while highlighting the achievements by the EFCC from January 2022 to date, said that other recoveries made by the agency include N134.33 billion, $121.77 million, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, ¥21,350.00, and CFA300,000.00, among others.
He also disclosed that over 3,615 convictions were recorded within the period, affirming that the administration is serious about its anti-corruption programme.
The EFCC boss announced that the nationwide auction of forfeited automobiles would soon be followed by the disposal of over 150 forfeited houses to interested buyers across 15 locations in the country.
Bawa insisted on the need for the independence of the commission, adding that high-profile individuals and government agencies across the board have been subject to the sundry investigations by other relevant agencies, including the EFCC, which is evidence of the government’s commitment to the current anti-corruption drive.
It would be recalled that the sacked Accountant-General of the Federation was arrested by the EFCC on May 16, 2022, over the alleged diversion of funds and money laundering acts to the tune of N80 billion.
He was arrested following his failure to honour invitations by the commission to respond to issues connected to the alleged fraudulent acts.
Specifically, the anti-graft agency accused Idris of diverting the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members, close associates and that the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
To ensure properly investigations of the allegations leveled against him, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, subsequently suspended Idris from office.
The embattled Accountant-General of the Federation was on July 22, 2022, arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
In August, Idris approached the EFCC for a plea bargain.
