October 26, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, re-arraigned the suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and three others before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
THEWILL reported that the EFCC had on July 22, arraigned Idris, Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited before the same court, on 14 count charges bordering on gratification, stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109,485,572,691.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty at the time before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi, who was said to be a vacation judge.
At the re-arraignment before Justice Y. Halilu, on Wednesday, EFCC’s lawyer, O.A. Atolagbe, told the court that the case was initially before his “learned brother”, who was a vacation judge but has now been reassigned to him for re-arraignment.
However, all defendants maintained their innocence when the registrar read the counts on Wednesday.
Idris’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) urged the judge to uphold the earlier bail granted to his client by the court. Other lawyers including the prosecution did not raise objections to the bail plea.
Subsequently, Justice Y. Halilu, upheld their earlier bail terms and conditions but ordered EFCC to submit the AGF’s international passport to the court.
The case has been adjourned to November 23 for the commencement of trial.
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