N109bn fraud: Court fixes Oct 26 for re-arraignment of ex-AGF

By Ridwan Adekunle

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed October 26 for the re-arraignment of former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, over an alleged N109 billion fraud.

Idris was arraigned on a 14-count charges alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, the Technical Assistant to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

Justice Yusuf Halilu on Tuesday fixed the date after the lawyers in the matter agreed on the fresh date after the matter was re-assigned from the vacation court.

The defendant had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, bribery, and money laundering.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Idris had sometime between February and December 2021 at Abuja, used his position as the Accountant General of the Federation to accept gratification of N15,136,921.46 billion from Olusegun Akindele, which was converted into US dollars.

The sum was allegedly meant for accelerating the payment of 13 percent derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He was further alleged to have between February and November 2021, dishonestly received the sum of N84,390 billion from the Federal Government of Nigeria through Akindele, trading under the name and style of Olusegun Akindele & Co.

The offences are contrary to sections 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section; and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.