The trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, over the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds, continued on Wednesday, March 11, 2024, at the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
According to a statement by the EFCC, the case was presided over by Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, saw the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) present its second witness, Dr. Musa Oladimeji Dasuki, a retired Permanent Secretary at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who served between 2011 and 2020.
EFCC Witness Testifies on Fund Diversion
Led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Dasuki revealed that the Kwara State Government, under Ahmed’s administration, had requested UBEC funds for the years 2013 and 2014 under the pretext of paying teachers’ salaries.
He disclosed that the then Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, initially made an oral request for the 2013 UBEC Matching Grant, but SUBEB insisted that such a request be made in writing.
“The Commissioner for Finance later sent a letter conveying His Excellency’s approval for the release of the funds. Following this, the money was deposited into the state government’s account domiciled with Skye Bank Plc,” Dasuki told the court.
Despite SUBEB’s initial opposition, citing potential disruptions to ongoing projects, Dasuki said they eventually released the funds after receiving assurances from the finance commissioner that they would be reimbursed once the state received its federal allocation.
However, Dasuki testified that the money was never refunded, leading to the abandonment of several projects.
Funds Meant for School Projects Allegedly Misused
Dasuki explained further that, according to the 2013 UBEC action plan, the funds were earmarked for the construction of 40 standard classroom blocks with offices, 40 VIP toilets, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centers in primary and junior secondary schools across all 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
“Many of these projects could not be executed because the funds had been diverted,” he said, adding that several contractors faced financial difficulties due to non-payment for completed work.
Defense Cross-Examination
During cross-examination, counsel to the first defendant, Jimoh Mumini, SAN, asked Dasuki to clarify whether Ahmed and Banu were members of SUBEB. In response, Dasuki confirmed that neither of them was directly involved in the board’s operations.
Following the testimony, Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the trial to Thursday, March 13, 2025, for further hearing.
The EFCC has continued to prosecute cases related to the alleged mismanagement of public funds, with this trial being one of the high-profile corruption cases in Kwara State.
