Embattled AGF Implicates Top Government Officials, as EFCC Discovers Another N90bn

The investigation into the fraud allegation against suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has taken a new dimension

The scope of the ongoing probe of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reached N170billion.

Idris, who was battling for bail last night, has opened up on some top government officials allegedly involved in some transactions.

The EFCC has reportedly grilled a Permanent Secretary in connection with some deals, in which he was implicated, and on Sunday, the anti-graft agency arrested Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, as a suspected accomplice.

The EFCC is also closing in on a minister, who is fingered in the allegations against the suspended AGF.

There are indications that the AGF had made a commitment to the EFCC to refund some cash to the coffers of the government.

“So far, the EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa and his team, have made substantial progress. This is one of the biggest scandals that Bawa’s administration has uncovered.

“Based on preliminary investigation, the suspended AGF will account for N170 billion. Detectives are still digging more into his activities while in office.

“Since his arrest on May 16th, he has made useful disclosures, including some suspicious accounts and transactions”, a source revealed to the Media.

It was gathered that the AGF has also made available a list of government officials having to do with some financial activities in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

“As part of his disclosures during the investigation, a Federal Permanent Secretary was invited and interrogated by the EFCC last week.

“The Permanent Secretary is presently on bail and his movement restricted to Abuja. The Permanent Secretary has made a useful statement to investigators.

“A minister was also implicated. We have to verify whether or not the links with the minister were real or maybe the suspect was just desperate to rope in others”, the source added.

Recall that Idris was arrested on May 16, after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion 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 allegedly laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

Idris, who is still in EFCC custody has been reportedly offered bail, but is yet to perfect his bail conditions.