The trial of former Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his former Finance Commissioner, Demola Banu, over the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds resumed yesterday at the State High Court in Ilorin.
The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the duo, who pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Despite the state paying its counterpart funds—N952 million and N869 million—to a Skye Bank account in 2014 and 2015 as part of UBEC’s matching grants, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) did not award any contracts.
Witness Testimonies
The EFCC’s third witness, Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, an engineer, testified that UBEC had approved the 2014 and 2015 action plans submitted by Kwara SUBEB. He noted that contractors responsible for 2013 projects were eventually paid after protests over delayed payments.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Olanrewaju, who served as SUBEB’s project manager from 1998 to 2017, explained his role in overseeing infrastructure projects for public primary and junior secondary schools.
“I became the Director of Physical Planning in 2018. My responsibility was to conduct condition surveys of schools and assess student populations. I had no involvement in administrative matters,” he said.
Olanrewaju further revealed that UBEC’s monitoring team from Abuja had assessed and approved the 2013 projects, confirming that the work exceeded expectations.
During cross-examination by Ahmed’s counsel, Mumuni Jimoh (SAN), Olanrewaju clarified that signatories to the SUBEB account included the accountant, permanent secretary, and executive chairman of the board.
The second witness, Dr. Musa Dasuki, testified that UBEC and SUBEB matching grants were strictly for educational infrastructure and could not be diverted for other uses.
During cross-examination by Banu’s counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Dasuki emphasized:
“It is wrongful to disburse SUBEB funds as loans to anyone. Matching grants must only be used for primary and junior secondary school infrastructure. SUBEB operates as a parastatal with an executive chairman, secretary, and permanent members.”
He also disclosed that no board meeting was held before the SUBEB funds were given to the Kwara State Government between 2013 and 2016.
Adjournment
Presiding judge Mahmud Abdulgafar adjourned the case to April 10 and 11 for the continuation of the hearing.
