Ex-AG-F Idris N109bn Fraud Trial
The high-stakes trial of former Accountant General of the Federation Ahmed Idris over an alleged N109 billion fraud has taken a dramatic turn. In a stunning revelation, Idris claimed he initially thought he would not face prosecution despite the grave allegations against him and three others.
According to excerpts from one of his 13 extra-judicial statements tendered as evidence before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the embattled ex-AG-F said he cooperated fully with investigators from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, he did so under the firm “assumption, belief and understanding” that his statements would not eventually lead to his prosecution.
In the statement dated May 25, 2022, Idris stated: “Any statement I have made before or I am making now are based on my firm assumption, belief and understanding that by being open and aligning myself with statements made by principal suspects, such statements will not be used against me and eventually lead to my trial or prosecution.”
This bombshell claim forms the basis of objections raised by Idris’ legal team, led by Chris Uche (SAN), against the admissibility of the ex-AG-F’s statements, which allegedly contained certain admissions. Uche has directly accused EFCC investigators of misleading his client into making self-incriminating statements by promising he would not be charged.
However, both EFCC operatives who have testified so far in the ongoing “trial-within-trial” have vehemently denied ever making such assurances to Idris. In fact, one investigator, Mahmoud Tukur, emphasized that as a senior public official, Idris should have known investigators lacked the authority to make binding promises about prosecutions.
The explosive allegations have injected fresh controversy into the high-profile fraud case, which has captured national attention. Idris and his co-defendants face a 14-count charge bordering on stealing and criminal breach of trust to the staggering tune of N109 billion in public funds.
As the trial-within-trial continues, all eyes are on whether the court will admit Idris’ contested statements as evidence in the main trial. The defence appears poised to double down on claims of investigative impropriety, while prosecutors will likely counter by reiterating standard cautions issued during evidence gathering.
Whichever way the pendulum swings, the dramatic twists have once again highlighted concerns around institutional integrity and adherence to due process in high-level corruption cases. Ex-AG-F Idris N109bn Fraud Trial With billions of naira alleged to have been misappropriated from public coffers, the nation awaits a credible and transparent resolution that upholds justice without compromise.
Reference
Alleged N109b fraud: I thought I won’t be tried, says ex-AG-F Idris published in The Nations