EFCC Relocates Arrested Accountant-General

ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL of the Federation (AG-F) Ahmed Idris has been relocated from Kano to Abuja in continuation of the ongoing investigation of an alleged N80 billion ‘fraud.’

Idris was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Kano Zonal Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation over the alleged fraud.

He was moved yesterday to Abuja where he allegedly committed some financial infractions.

It was learnt last night that the anti-graft agency has invited some relations of Idris and consultants whose firms were believed to have been used for some curious transactions.

EFCC has been working on clues that the consultancy jobs were allegedly used by the AG-F to launder funds.

A source said: “The commission has moved the AG-F from Kano to Abuja for interrogation. He is already cooperating with our detectives.

“So far, he is still in custody because EFCC has invited some of his relations and consultants who allegedly executed some questionable or non-existent contracts.

“The commission will brief the nation appropriately after our findings.”

The commission’s high profile haul continued yesterday with the arrest of a former House of Representatives Speaker, Mrs. Olubunmi Patricia-Ette over a N240 million contract.

The contract, which was awarded in 2011 by the Niger Delta Development Commission to Phil Jin Project Limited, led to the discovery of overpayment of N47 million to the beneficiary company.

Instead of N240 million, the firm was allegedly paid N287 million.

About N130 million out of the contract funds was traced to Mrs. Patricia-Ette, who claimed that it was a refund of the cash she borrowed the contracting firm.

Another source said: “Ette was arrested by the Special Duty Unit of the EFCC. Our operatives have been quizzing her accordingly.

“Preliminary investigation showed that Ette was not a director of the company but after the payment of the contract sum, about N130 million was traced to her.

“Although the former Speaker claimed that the N130 million was a refund of the cash she advanced the company, the onus is on her to show proof.

“She is presently with the EFCC. Once she clears herself, she will be let off the hook.”

It was learnt that the EFCC was interested in how a company won a N240 million contract but was paid in two tranches of N34 million and N253 million.

“Investigation showed that the company was overpaid. Our team is seeking to establish whether or not the company refunded the excess of N47 million.

“Our operatives will also try to establish if there was any relationship between the company and Ette for the ex-Speaker to have received N130 million of the contract sum.”