Alleged N109b fraud: I thought EFCC won’t put me on trial – Ex-AG- F Idris

The immediate past Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), Ahmed Idris, has said he initially thought he would not be prosecuted for the alleged N109 billion fraud for which he and three others are facing trial.

Idris said he cooperated with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigators by providing them with necessary information to help their probe in the belief that he would not be prosecuted.

The ex-AG-F said this in one of the 13 extra-judicial statements he made to EFCC investigators, which have been tendered before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he is being tried with others.

In the statement, dated May 25, 2022, he said: “All along, I have cooperated with the EFCC officials and have volunteered information to demonstrate my commitment to make the investigation as easier and speedy.

“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.

“In view of foregoing statements, I wish to accept the net figure of N13.2 billion I am confronted with, subject to the reservations expressed in this statement.”

His lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), has objected to the admissibility of the statements, claiming that investigators hoodwinked his client to make the statements, which contained some admissions. Nation