EFCC arrests Yari over ‘N20bn SURE-P fraud’ linked to suspended accountant-general

30 May EFCC arrests Yari over ‘N20bn SURE-P fraud’ linked to suspended accountant-general

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara state.

The former governor was arrested over alleged fraud relating to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), a source as the Commission disclosed on Sunday.

A N20 billion “SURE-P refund” was allegedly cooked up by Ahmed Idris, the suspended accountant-general, to move money to Yari but the money was said to have disappeared without trace.

SURE-P, set up during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was focused on re-investing fuel subsidy funds into infrastructural projects and empowerment schemes for the unemployed and unskilled.

Yari’s arrest comes days after Idris was arrested by EFCC operatives over alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80 billion.

The anti-graft agency had also said Idris failed to respond to invitations by the commission to answer questions over the allegation.

“The commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates,” EFCC had said in a statement.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.”

Days after Idris’ arrest, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, announced the suspension of the accountant-general.

Meanwhile the probe of Idris may have reached N170billion. A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “So far, the EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa and his team have made substantial progress.

“This is one of the biggest scandals that Bawa’s administration has uncovered.

“Based on preliminary investigation, the suspended AGF now will account for N170billion. Detectives are still digging more into his activities in office.

“Since his arrest on May 16th, he has made useful disclosures including some suspicious accounts and transactions.”