Drama in Courtroom: Former AGF Fingers EFCC in Evidence Suppression Scandal

Former AGF Accuses EFCC of Concealing Crucial Statements in Ongoing Fraud Trial

Ahmed Idris, the former Accountant-General of the Federation, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deliberately withheld key statements he made during interrogation from being presented in court.

Idris is standing trial on a 14-count charge alongside Geoffrey Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited at the High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges related to money laundering and diversion of public funds. Idris was arrested on May 16, 2022.

He claimed that the EFCC failed to submit three of the 16 statements he gave during their investigation. The statements in question—dated June 10, June 27, and July 5, 2022—were allegedly dictated to him by investigators without the presence of his legal team.

The presiding judge, Justice Halilu Yusuf, has ordered a trial-within-trial to assess the admissibility of Idris’ confessional statements.

Idris’ lawyer, Chris Uche, accused the EFCC of deceiving his client by promising that no charges would be filed if he disclosed incriminating information about a former finance minister and several governors. Idris also argued that his statements were coerced and violated sections 15(4) and 17(1)(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. He noted that his legal counsel was absent during interrogations, which were not video recorded.

EFCC investigator Hayatudeen Suleiman denied the claims, maintaining that 13 of Idris’ 16 statements had already been tendered in court.

The trial resumed on Wednesday, with Idris testifying about his experiences with the anti-graft agency. The case was adjourned to July 17 for cross-examination.