The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order to detain the embattled Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, for additional days.
An EFCC source confirmed that the legal department of the Commission secured the order within 24 hours after Idris was arrested in Kano.
Although the detective did not state the court where the order was obtained, he explained that they have been relying on the order to keep him in their custody pending the conclusion of their investigation.
“He is still here with us, he has been cooperating. We will get to the root of the matter. The good thing is that our legal department has secured a court order helping us to hold him till we conclude our investigations,” the source said.
When asked about when he would be released, the official said Idris may be charged to court anytime, saying “evidence at our disposal is damning.”
He added that some of the properties linked to him in Abuja, Lagos and Kano might be forfeited temporarily, noting that the Commission will also push for their permanent forfeiture to the federal government.
The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the suspension of the embattled accountant-general with a view to allowing a thorough investigation.
In a letter conveying Idris’ suspension, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed warned the embattled public official not to visit his former office at any time.
According to her, the Accountant General’s suspension was in line with the public service rules.
“Following your recent arrest by EFCC on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective May 18, 2022,” the letter partly read.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, proved abortive as several calls pulled across to him did not connect.