Nigeria's treasury head has been suspended over allegations of fraud.

Nigeria has suspended the country's accountant-general indefinitely after anti-corruption detectives arrested him on fraud charges.

The suspension of Ahmed Idris, according to the administration, was necessary to allow for a thorough investigation of the allegations.

Nigeria's economic crimes bureau said in a statement on Monday that he was arrested after being tied to fraud, money laundering, and diverting approximately $200 million (£161 million) from government coffers.

He is being held by the anti-corruption bureau and has made no public statements about the charges.

Mr. Idris was the national treasury's administrative leader as accountant-general.

He has been in the position since President Muhammadu Buhari nominated him in 2015.

In the fight against pervasive corruption, President Buhari's administration has had some success. Several prominent politicians, businesses, and internet scammers have been sentenced to prison.

In 2021 alone, the government recovered looted assets and $800 million.

However, critics claim that average Nigerians have yet to see the benefits of the recovery. Last month's pardoning of imprisoned politicians, including two former state governors, threw a pall over the anti-corruption drive.