The trial of former Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ademola Banu, over the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion public funds resumed on Monday before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.
Prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the defendants face charges of diverting funds intended for teachers' salaries and infrastructure development in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
The funds originated from grants disbursed by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) between 2013 and 2015. Evidence presented includes a report from a UBEC Projects Monitoring Committee which revealed that 51 school projects under the 2013 Action Plan were abandoned despite the release of funds for their execution.
The trial commenced in December 2024 with the EFCC calling witnesses including Abubakar Hassan, an Assistant Director of Finance at UBEC, who testified on the misappropriation of funds meant for education.
The proceedings resumed with the testimony of Alhaji Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, the former Accountant General of Kwara State. The case highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to tackle corruption and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
