The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims of offering leniency to the former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, in exchange for implicating the former Minister of Finance and others in a N109 billion fraud case.
Idris alleged that the EFCC deceived him into admitting to the allegations against him, stating they wanted to use him to implicate the Minister of Finance and some glGovernors in the misappropriation of derivation funds.
The trial, involving Idris and co-defendants, revolves around 14 charges of stealing and criminal breach of trust amounting to N109.5 billion.
Mahmud Tukur, a detective with the EFCC, denied the commission made such promises to Idris during the trial, asserting that all 13 statements from Idris and his lawyers were voluntary.
Tukur emphasized that Idris was interviewed in the presence of his lawyers, with two statements being made voluntarily where Idris waived his right to legal representation.
Despite the cross-examination by Idris’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), Tukur maintained the EFCC’s standard procedure for obtaining statements from suspects.
Tukur vehemently denied the allegation of promising soft-landing to Idris, labeling it as “absolute falsehood.”
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, adjourned the proceedings until May 15 for the continuation of the trial-within-trial.
