Former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of deceiving him into admitting allegations against him. He claimed that the EFCC misled him, stating they wanted to use him to implicate the Minister of Finance and some governors.
Idris, along with his co-defendants, Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, is facing trial on 14 charges of stealing and criminal breach of trust involving N109.5 billion.
During cross-examination by Idris’ counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), prosecution witness Hayatudeen Ahmed read a statement, purportedly written by Idris on May 16, 2022. In the statement, Idris claimed that the EFCC assured him that any information he provided would not be used against him. However, the prosecution witness denied such assurances were given, stating that the statements made by Idris and his co-defendants were voluntary and not made under duress.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), applied to tender a video evidence containing recorded interviews of the defendants at the Commission’s Monitoring Unit Chairman’s office. The video aimed to counter the defendants’ claim of being interrogated without their lawyer and without video recordings, as required by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Laws.
Idris’ counsel objected to the admissibility of the video clip, citing insufficient time to review its content. Despite objections, Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled in favor of admitting the video evidence.
After cross-examination, Justice Halilu adjourned the trial to March 20, 2024. Additionally, he dismissed the initial order revoking the bail of Geoffrey Akindele, one of the defendants in the trial.
Idris, Akindele, Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited are facing charges related to the diversion of public funds totaling N109.5 billion.
