Court Adjourns N109.5bn Fraud Trial-Within-Trial Involving Ex-AGF Ahmed Idris
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the trial-within-trial involving former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, until October 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
Idris is facing prosecution alongside three co-defendants over allegations of fraud and the diversion of public funds amounting to N109.5 billion. The case is being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial-within-trial was initiated following objections by the former Accountant-General’s legal team, which argued that statements obtained from him during investigations were not made voluntarily and were allegedly secured through inducement and deception.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the defence presented its final witness, Hajiya Safiya Idris, who testified about her visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on June 6, 2022.
The witness told the court that she had gone to see Ahmed Idris and was later granted access to an office where he was being questioned. According to her, officials requested that she sign as a witness to a statement attributed to the former Accountant-General.
She confirmed that the signature and handwritten remarks on the document were hers, explaining that she signed after being informed that Idris would be released.
Under cross-examination, Safiya stated that she was not under investigation by the EFCC and had visited the agency on her own. She also told the court that the statement had already been completed before she entered the room and that she only signed after it was concluded.
The prosecution questioned her on portions of the statement indicating it was written in her presence. In response, she maintained that she was not certain when those sections were added but insisted she was not being dishonest when she stated that the statement was taken in her presence.
She further admitted that she never lodged any formal complaint regarding the circumstances surrounding the signing of the document and acknowledged that she was under no obligation to provide any statement to the anti-graft agency.
Following the conclusion of her testimony, the defence formally closed its case in the trial-within-trial.
Justice Yusuf Halilu subsequently adjourned the matter until October 13, 2026, when both parties are expected to adopt their final written addresses before the court determines whether the disputed statements are admissible as evidence.
