The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, along with his ex-Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, over a 14-count charge related to the alleged mismanagement and theft of N5.78 billion in public funds. This re-arraignment took place before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court following the transfer of the previous trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike.
The duo, originally arraigned on a 12-count charge back in April 2024, now face new charges. Notably, Abdulfatah is solely charged in one count for failing to declare his assets during his arrest by EFCC officials, a violation under the EFCC Act. Among the accusations, they are alleged to have spent over N1.6 billion meant for security and state administration on chartering private jets. Furthermore, they are accused of diverting funds intended for paying teachers and other state projects.
In one count, Abdulfatah and Banu are accused of illegally spending N1 billion originally allocated to the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to pay civil servants, while another charge involves the transfer of N990 million to a bank for loan repayment in violation of financial regulations.
Both defendants pled not guilty to the charges. Their defense attorneys requested bail, citing their consistent cooperation with the EFCC since the case began in 2019. The judge granted bail at N100 million each with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired permanent secretary. The trial is set to continue on December 4-5, 2024.
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