EFCC Trial-Within-Trial: Witness Says He Signed Ex-AGF Ahmed Idris Statement of May 17, 2022

A witness told an FCT High Court in Abuja that he signed the ex-AGF’s statement marked as Exhibit B3 during proceedings on alleged statements made under duress.

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By A1 News International
Abuja, Nigeria

A witness in the trial-within-trial involving former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, has told the FCT High Court, Maitama, that he signed Idris’s statement dated May 17, 2022. The court is examining objections to the admissibility of the statement the prosecution intends to tender, following claims it was made under deception and inducement.

Trial-Within-Trial Ordered Over Objection to Statement Admissibility

The trial-within-trial was ordered after objections raised by Ahmed Idris’ counsel, Chris Uche (SAN). Uche argued that the prosecution sought to tender Idris’s statements made on November 23, 2022 were obtained through deception and inducement.

Idris and co-defendants—Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited—are standing trial before Justice Halilu Yusuf. They face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 14-count charge marked CR/199/2022, bordering on alleged stealing and fraudulent diversion of public funds estimated at N109.5 billion. All defendants pleaded not guilty.

Witness Identifies Signature on Exhibit B3

During cross-examination on Tuesday, Haruna Alabi told the court that he identified his name and signature on the statement marked Exhibit B3, described as the ex-AGF’s statement of May 17, 2022. Alabi, who said he is a retired director of legal in the AGF’s office, testified that he visited the first defendant at the EFCC on May 17, 2022.

He said the visit was made with other directors and described the ex-AGF as having left the office technically, while still in EFCC custody. Alabi told the court that the visit was made out of “moral” and “empathy,” adding that Charles was appointed as AGF as of that period.

Cross-Examination Details Surrounding How Statement Was Taken

In questioning by EFCC prosecutor Oluwaleke Atolagbe, Alabi testified that the EFCC did not invite him personally, and that he visited “on his own like others.” He also told the court that he had no prior encounter with EFCC investigators before that time.

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Alabi said his role related to writing and signing at the back of the statement of May 17, but he told the court he did not write or sign any other place. When asked if he knew whether Idris wrote the statement and whether he signed it, Alabi said: “I don’t know.”

He further agreed that a portion of the statement he signed included wording that it was taken freely and that he signed it. However, when confronted with inconsistencies about presence during the statement’s making, Alabi stated that he did not lie when he said he was not present.

The witness also told the court that, as a senior lawyer, he could not change what had already been written, and he did not sign any other statement because the first defendant was later suspended.

Court Adjourns Trial-Within-Trial to June 24

After Alabi’s testimony, Idris’ counsel, Kanayo Okafor, sought an adjournment to bring other witnesses. Justice Halilu directed that all witnesses be brought on the next adjourned date and adjourned the continuation of the trial-within-trial until June 24.

This trial-within-trial is significant because it determines whether the prosecution can rely on the ex-AGF’s statements as evidence. The court’s decision on admissibility can directly affect the strength of the EFCC case in a major public funds fraud prosecution.