Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the trial-within-trial in the alleged N109.5 billion fraud case involving former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, until October 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Idris alongside Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited on a 14-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and diversion of public funds amounting to N109.5 billion.
The court had, on November 22, 2022, ordered a trial-within-trial following an application by Idris’ counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who argued that statements made by his client to the EFCC were obtained through deception and inducement.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the defence called Hajiya Safiya Idris as its sole witness. Safiya, who described the former AGF as a long-time family friend whom she regards “like a father,” recounted visiting the EFCC headquarters on June 6, 2022, in a bid to see him.
She told the court that after waiting for several hours, she was allowed into an office where two EFCC officials, identified as Hayatu and Mahmud, allegedly requested that she sign as a witness to a statement being written by Idris.
Safiya confirmed that the signature and handwriting on the document were hers and said she signed after being assured that Idris would be released.
Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, admitted that she was neither invited nor investigated by the EFCC and had visited the Commission on her own. She further claimed that the defendant had completed the statement before she entered the office and that she merely signed the document afterwards.
The witness also acknowledged that she lodged no complaint after signing the statement and was under no obligation to write anything for the EFCC since she was not under investigation. However, she maintained that she was truthful when she wrote that the statement was taken in her presence.
Following the conclusion of her testimony, the defence closed its case in the trial-within-trial, prompting Justice Halilu to adjourn proceedings until October 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
