Stephen Ukandu, News & Features Editor
The embattled Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has been suspended indefinitely by the Federal Government over alleged N80 billion financial fraud.
Idris was suspended in a letter issued by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.
The AGF was on Monday, arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Kano.
The letter with the reference number, HMFBMP/AGF/ SUSPENSION/5/2022, and obtained by Ikengaonline read in part:” Following your recent arrest by the EFCC on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May 2022. This is to allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406.
“During the 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.”
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has asked the EFCC to beam its searchlight on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information System, IPPIS, domiciled in the AGF office.
An aggrieved university lecturer who pleaded for anonymity told Ikengaonline that the N80 billion could be part of promotion arrears of university lecturers which IPPIS hardly pay.
“Many lecturers are owed promotion arrears. There are many unnecessary and heart-breaking deductions from our salaries by IPPIS. That is why they are kicking against UTAS and insisting that university lecturers must remain under IPPIS.
“Since 2019 when I was promoted last, the promotion has not reflected in my salary. There is no doubt that there is endemic corruption in that office. I’m sure further investigations will reveal more rattling dealings going on in that office at a time when many Nigerians are going to bed hungry.”
