Afrocover
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics & Policies
  • Africa-Wide
  • Opinions
  • Exclusive
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Afrocover
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics & Policies
  • Africa-Wide
  • Opinions
  • Exclusive
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Afrocover
No Result
View All Result

Ex-Kwara Governor, finance commissioner stand trial over alleged N5.8bn UBEC fund diversion

By Rasheed Aladejana

March 13, 2025
in News
0
EFCC warns Nigerians against 58 illegal ponzi scheme operators
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

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.

 

Related Posts

Oyo renovates govt house with N63.4bn to mark 50th anniversary
News

Oyo renovates govt house with N63.4bn to mark 50th anniversary

In a bid to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Oyo State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved the sum of...

by Emmanuel Oluwadola
June 18, 2025
Ramaphosa ends G7 summit without anticipated meeting with Trump
Africa-Wide

Ramaphosa ends G7 summit without anticipated meeting with Trump

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has wrapped up his three-day official visit to Canada, where he participated in the...

by Rasheed Aladejana
June 18, 2025
Kwara christians decry political marginalisation
Belief

Kwara christians decry political marginalisation

Members of the Christian community in Kwara State have cried out over the alleged continuous reduction in the number...

by Emmanuel Oluwadola
June 18, 2025
Zambia’s former president Lungu family refuses body return
Africa-Wide

Zambia’s former president Lungu family refuses body return

The family of Zambia's late former President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has once again suspended the repatriation of his remains...

by Rasheed Aladejana
June 18, 2025
Next Post
NDLEA officers’ welfare remains my priority – Marwa

NDLEA officers’ welfare remains my priority – Marwa

Afrocover news

The Afrocover team is a group of media enthusiasts that are committed to illuminate information fairness and objective media coverage across Africa. We also cover the depth of African Politics, History, Culture, Entertainment, and the Economy as the case may be.

© 2025 Afrocover – All right reserved

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Loading
Facebook Twitter
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics & Policies
  • Africa-Wide
  • Opinions
  • Exclusive
  • About Us
    • Contact Us

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.