Court Adjourns Former AGF Ahmed Idris’ N109.5bn Fraud Trial

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, has adjourned proceedings in the trial of the former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, who is facing allegations of diverting N109.5 billion in public funds.

Justice Yusuf Halilu fixed October 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses by both the prosecution and defence on the admissibility of statements obtained from Idris by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former AGF is standing trial alongside Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited on a 14-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and fraudulent diversion of public funds.

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The trial-within-trial was instituted following an application by Idris’ lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who challenged the voluntariness of statements made by his client to the EFCC. The defence argued that the statements were obtained through inducement and deception.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the defence presented Hajiya Safiya Idris as a witness.

She told the court that EFCC officials requested that she sign as a witness to a statement made by the former AGF and allegedly assured her that Idris would be released.

Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel A.O. Atolagbe, however, the witness acknowledged that she was neither under investigation nor officially invited by the EFCC, noting that she had gone to the commission’s office voluntarily.

Following the conclusion of her testimony, Justice Halilu adjourned the matter to October 13 for parties to adopt their final written submissions on whether the statements tendered by the prosecution were made voluntarily.

The EFCC alleged that Idris and his co-defendants diverted N109.5 billion belonging to the Federal Government, an allegation they have denied. The case continues.