A GROUP, Arewa Professionals Forum (APF) has urged the judiciary, and the EFCC to be just and fair in the trail of former Accountant General of the Federation, Malam Ahmed Idris.
The group made the call on Friday in Kaduna during a press conference. According to the group, the call was made in response to an earlier one issued by a group, Southern Solidarity Forum, last week,in Osogbo the Osun state capital.
The secretary, Arewa Professionals Forum, Comrade Muhammad Auwal stated that, “The former AGF, Mallam Ahmed Idris has served this country meritoriously, regardless of the many lies and half-truths peddled against him by particularly, some section of the press.
“This is nothing less than a media trial, exacerbated by fake news, which we have reasons to believe is the handiwork of his detractors, whose identity we all know.
Comrade Muhammad added, “The assertions by Southern Solidarity Forum, through one Otunba Olagoke Fabiyi that Malam Idris was trying to be “clever by half” in order to deceive the EFCC, because, Mallam told the court, that he was deceived into making the statement by the EFCC.
“Mr Fabiyi must understand that, The Evidence Act, 2023, as amended, provides for the nullification of evidence earlier given, by a suspect, when there’s a clause taken under duress, deception, intimidation and manipulations.
“Therefore, the use of words like “childish” by Mr Fabiyi, is needless, and smack of ignorance” he stated.
He however concluded that, ” the Nigerian constitution guarantees the innocence of any accused persons, until he was proven guilty, through the provision of incontrovertible evidence in court”.
Speaking further, Arewa Professionals Forum, Northwest Coordinator, Mallam Abdullahi Maidoki, stressed the need for caution since the matter is still in court.
He said “We reiterate our confidence in the judiciary. The EFCC, must be allowed to do their job. It is a federal agency. We find the call by Southern Solidarity Forum, to say the least, very preemptive. It showed there is an ulterior considerations”.
He concluded by saying, “For the avoidance of doubt, Mallam Ahmed Idris is a builder of future not destroyer. He provided thousands of youths with scholarships, secured jobs, paid tuition fees and provided employment to many more.
“This singular act alone, endeared him to masses. He has no hand in the prolonged ASUU strike. In fact, it was through his efforts and resilience, the universities didn’t collapse. He was neither the Minister of finance, nor education. Therefore,We have the moral obligation to frown at individuals or group subjecting one of our own to ridicule and media trails.
“We would continue to follow diligently, and with keen interest, court proceedings regarding the case involving Mallam Ahmed Idris. We have the obligation to respond to Southern Solidarity Forum, and even any group, throwing tantrums and passing judgement and aspersions, without any evidence on one of us. We implore all to be steadfast in prayers for justice for Mallam Ahmed Idris”.