The trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, for alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion in public funds commenced on December 4, 2024, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the duo on October 21, 2024, accusing them of diverting funds intended for teachers’ salaries and infrastructure projects under the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail pending trial.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC’s first witness, Abubakar Hassan, Assistant Director of Finance at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), testified that approximately N5 billion meant for primary and junior secondary school projects between 2013 and 2015 was allegedly diverted during Ahmed’s tenure.
Hassan explained that UBEC’s Matching Grant Funds are allocated for constructing school buildings, laboratories, toilets, and providing water and sanitation facilities. He noted that Kwara State received N2 billion in 2013, N876 million in 2014, and N982 million in 2015 for these projects.
“Implementation of the 2013 Action Plan had begun, and contractors were mobilized. However, during a project monitoring exercise, we discovered that about N2 billion meant for the 2013 projects was diverted,” Hassan revealed.
UBEC subsequently demanded a refund of the 2014 and 2015 grants after the state failed to address the diversion. No further funds were allocated for 2016 to 2018 due to non-compliance with UBEC’s recommendations.
Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, for further hearing.
