Alleged N109. 5 Billion Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Ex-AGF Idris, Others Until Oct. 4

Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday adjourned until Oct 4 trial of  suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and three others for alleged N109.5 billion fraud.

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

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) charged the defendants 14 counts of alleged misappropriation of N109.5 billion.

Justice O. Adeyemi Ajayi fixed the date after listening to the submissions of all the counsel in the matter.

The counsel to Idris, Chief Godwin Uche ,SAN, told the court that he and other defendants’ counsel had not been able to meet with their clients yet on the statements all of them made at the EFCC office.

Ajayi granted their prayer and adjourned until Oct 4 for further hearing.

Earlier, the judge revoked Usman’s the bail over his failure to arrive in court on time.

His counsel Ibrahim Ishaku, SAN, though notified the court that his client was held up in a gridlock.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr  Rotimi Jacobs, SAN however, told the court the defendants sent someone to the EFCC asking for a plea bargain.

The EFCC alleged that between February and December, 2021
Idris accepted gratification from  Akindele, a gratification to accelerate the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil producing Sates, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

It also alleged that N84. 3 billion was converted from the federal government’s account by the former accountant general and second defendant between February and November 2021.

The EFCC said the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 155 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)