Fresh twists emerged in the high-profile ₦109.5 billion fraud trial of former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, as a defence witness admitted in court that he signed the embattled official’s statement to investigators.
Testifying before Justice Yusuf Halilu at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, the witness, Haruna Alabi, confirmed appending his signature to a statement dated May 17, 2022, during cross-examination by prosecution counsel.
Idris is standing trial alongside three others on a 14-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged diversion of public funds amounting to ₦109.5 billion.
The court heard that Alabi, who described himself as the only lawyer among officials who visited Idris in EFCC custody, signed the back of the statement but was not present when it was made.
Under intense questioning, the witness admitted he could not confirm whether Idris personally authored the statement he endorsed, despite a clause indicating it was made voluntarily.
The testimony forms part of a “trial-within-trial” initiated by the defence, challenging the admissibility of the former AGF’s statements on grounds of alleged coercion and inducement.
Justice Halilu adjourned proceedings to June 24, 2026, directing the defence to produce all remaining witnesses as the legal battle over the controversial statement deepens.
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