EFCC re-arraigns suspended AGF Idris, three others over N109bn fraud allegations

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), has re-arraigned the suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and three others following the alleged N109.5 billion fraud.

Other defendants are Mohammed Usman, Olusegun Akindele and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

They were first arraigned in July before a vacation judge, Justice Adeyemi Ajayi on a 13-count charge bordering on misappropriation.

Upon the resumption of the court, the case was transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu.

Following their not-guilty plea, counsel for Idris, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court on July 28, adding that they have been complying with their bail conditions.

Other defendants’ counsel aligned themselves with Uche’s application and submission.

Justice Halilu, ruling on the application, held that bail is a constitutional right of a defendant and ordered the submission of the defendant’s passports to the court registrar.

The Judge, however, adjourned the case until 23rd November for hearing.

Idris was in May arrested after he failed to honour invitations by the EFCC to answer questions over allegations of N80 billion fraud.

Zainab Ahmed the Minister for Finance and Budget, thereafter suspended Idris indefinitely without pay.