EFCC Arrests Ex- Zamfara Governor, Yari, Over N22bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former governor of Zamfara state, Abdul Aziz Yari, over alleged N22 billion fraud.

EFCC confirmed his arrest on Sunday.

The former governor was arrested over alleged fraud relating to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

A N22 billion “SURE-P refund” was allegedly cooked up by Ahmed Idris, the suspended accountant-general, to move money to Yari.

Arrested along with Yari is Anthony Yaro, chairman and managing director of Finex Professional, for their alleged role in the alleged N84 billion fraud involving Idris.

Yari allegedly benefited to the tune of N22 billion through Finex Professional from the N84 billion which the former Idris allegedly paid one Akindele.

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 the alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to N84 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.”

The report on Yari’s arrest by the commission comes hours after he secured the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Zamfara west senatorial district in the 2023 general election.