JUST IN: Finance Minister Suspends Accountant-General Over N80Bn Scandal

 The accountant general of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been suspended indefinitely by the minister of finance, budget and national planning, Zainab Ahmed.

This is following the arrest of the Accountant-General over money laundering and diversion of public funds allegations on Tuesday.

In a letter signed by the minister dated 18th May 2022 in which she said the suspension was to give room for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406.

According to the letter, he is not expected to be at work or contact any official in his office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised

The letter reads, “Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering. I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18 May, 2022. This is to allow for proper and unhindered investigation in to the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406.

“During this period, you are not expected to attend to your place of work or contact any official in your Office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised.

“Also, it is expected that you will strictly comply with any instructions that will be forwarded to you in your current location or your known recorded address as stipulated in the extant rules”.

The suspension is following the N80 billion scandal involving the Accountant General who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday.