Nigeria’s Accountant-General, Ahmed Idris, has reportedly been arrested over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds.
Those familiar with the development said Idris was intercepted in Kano by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), yesterday evening and was flown to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for interrogation.
According to sources, the EFCC has for some time now been investigating a case of diversion of at least N80 billion in public funds which were allegedly laundered through some bogus contracts. The companies used in laundering the funds have allegedly been linked to family members and associates of the accountant-general, investigators said.
The sources further said after progress was made in the investigation, Idris was summoned repeatedly for interrogation but he failed to honour the invitations.
The spokesperson for the EFCC could not be reached to comment, but according to one of his subordinates, he was travelling in the United Kingdom at this time. However, a top EFCC confirmed the development, but requested for anonymity because he had no permission to discuss the matter with the media.
Recall that President Muhammed Buhari appointed Idris as Accountant-General on June 25, 2015. The position became vacant at the time after the former Accountant General, Jonah Otunla, left office on June 12, 2015.
The President reappointed him for a second 4-year term in June 2019, amid criticisms from labour groups, who said the Accountant-General should retire after turning 60.
