Did Abdulfatah Ahmed Divert ₦5.78 Billion UBEC Funds? Why Kwara Court Adjourned Ex-Governor’s Fraud Trial to February 16
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has adjourned the ₦5.78 billion alleged fraud trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, raising fresh questions about how public education funds were allegedly diverted under the previous administration. The case, which resumed before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, was postponed to February 16, 2026, following legal objections during the presentation of evidence by the prosecution.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate, is prosecuting the former officials over claims that funds meant for educational development were unlawfully redirected. According to the EFCC, the defendants approved the use of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants—money specifically allocated for building and upgrading primary and junior secondary schools across Kwara’s 16 local government areas—to pay civil servants’ salaries, contrary to the conditions attached to the funds.
During the latest hearing, the prosecution called its sixth witness, Stanley Ujilibo, who told the court that the EFCC obtained bank statements from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Guaranty Trust Bank as part of its investigation. He explained that official letters dated August 1, 2025, were sent to both banks requesting records of Kwara State Government accounts. The banks acknowledged the requests and provided the statements, which were admitted as exhibits by the court.
The trial further revisited earlier testimony by a former Accountant-General of Kwara State, Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, who stated that ₦1 billion from UBEC matching grants was borrowed in 2015 by the Ahmed administration to pay salaries and pensions. This revelation has intensified public scrutiny over whether funds intended for school infrastructure were systematically diverted for recurrent government expenses.
However, proceedings were briefly stalled when the EFCC attempted to tender additional documents from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General. Defence counsel, led by Kamaldeen Ajibade, objected on procedural grounds, arguing that the documents had not been properly highlighted for clarity and reference. Justice Abdulgafar upheld the objection and consequently adjourned the case.
The adjournment has sparked debate across Kwara State and beyond: Was public education funding sacrificed to cover salary obligations? Did the former administration violate the terms governing UBEC grants? And will the evidence presented be enough to establish criminal responsibility?
As the trial continues, the case stands as a major test of accountability in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the management of education funds and the prosecution of high-profile political figures.
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has adjourned the ₦5.78 billion alleged fraud trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, raising fresh questions about how public education funds were allegedly diverted under the previous administration. The case, which resumed before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, was postponed to February 16, 2026, following legal objections during the presentation of evidence by the prosecution.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate, is prosecuting the former officials over claims that funds meant for educational development were unlawfully redirected. According to the EFCC, the defendants approved the use of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants—money specifically allocated for building and upgrading primary and junior secondary schools across Kwara’s 16 local government areas—to pay civil servants’ salaries, contrary to the conditions attached to the funds.
During the latest hearing, the prosecution called its sixth witness, Stanley Ujilibo, who told the court that the EFCC obtained bank statements from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Guaranty Trust Bank as part of its investigation. He explained that official letters dated August 1, 2025, were sent to both banks requesting records of Kwara State Government accounts. The banks acknowledged the requests and provided the statements, which were admitted as exhibits by the court.
The trial further revisited earlier testimony by a former Accountant-General of Kwara State, Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, who stated that ₦1 billion from UBEC matching grants was borrowed in 2015 by the Ahmed administration to pay salaries and pensions. This revelation has intensified public scrutiny over whether funds intended for school infrastructure were systematically diverted for recurrent government expenses.
However, proceedings were briefly stalled when the EFCC attempted to tender additional documents from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General. Defence counsel, led by Kamaldeen Ajibade, objected on procedural grounds, arguing that the documents had not been properly highlighted for clarity and reference. Justice Abdulgafar upheld the objection and consequently adjourned the case.
The adjournment has sparked debate across Kwara State and beyond: Was public education funding sacrificed to cover salary obligations? Did the former administration violate the terms governing UBEC grants? And will the evidence presented be enough to establish criminal responsibility?
As the trial continues, the case stands as a major test of accountability in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the management of education funds and the prosecution of high-profile political figures.
Did Abdulfatah Ahmed Divert ₦5.78 Billion UBEC Funds? Why Kwara Court Adjourned Ex-Governor’s Fraud Trial to February 16
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has adjourned the ₦5.78 billion alleged fraud trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, raising fresh questions about how public education funds were allegedly diverted under the previous administration. The case, which resumed before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, was postponed to February 16, 2026, following legal objections during the presentation of evidence by the prosecution.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate, is prosecuting the former officials over claims that funds meant for educational development were unlawfully redirected. According to the EFCC, the defendants approved the use of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants—money specifically allocated for building and upgrading primary and junior secondary schools across Kwara’s 16 local government areas—to pay civil servants’ salaries, contrary to the conditions attached to the funds.
During the latest hearing, the prosecution called its sixth witness, Stanley Ujilibo, who told the court that the EFCC obtained bank statements from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Guaranty Trust Bank as part of its investigation. He explained that official letters dated August 1, 2025, were sent to both banks requesting records of Kwara State Government accounts. The banks acknowledged the requests and provided the statements, which were admitted as exhibits by the court.
The trial further revisited earlier testimony by a former Accountant-General of Kwara State, Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, who stated that ₦1 billion from UBEC matching grants was borrowed in 2015 by the Ahmed administration to pay salaries and pensions. This revelation has intensified public scrutiny over whether funds intended for school infrastructure were systematically diverted for recurrent government expenses.
However, proceedings were briefly stalled when the EFCC attempted to tender additional documents from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General. Defence counsel, led by Kamaldeen Ajibade, objected on procedural grounds, arguing that the documents had not been properly highlighted for clarity and reference. Justice Abdulgafar upheld the objection and consequently adjourned the case.
The adjournment has sparked debate across Kwara State and beyond: Was public education funding sacrificed to cover salary obligations? Did the former administration violate the terms governing UBEC grants? And will the evidence presented be enough to establish criminal responsibility?
As the trial continues, the case stands as a major test of accountability in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the management of education funds and the prosecution of high-profile political figures.
0 Commentarii
·0 Distribuiri
·573 Views
