ILORIN, Nigeria — For Thursday, during the ongoing trial of former Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, stronger details dey emerge. Witness wey dey testify for the Kwara State High Court tell how N1 billion wey suppose come from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant waka enter salary and pension payments in 2015, but e no return back as e suppose.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dey prosecute Ahmed for 14 counts related to alleged misappropriation and theft of N5.78 billion from UBEC funds. The fourth witness wey the prosecution call, Lanre Daibu, wey be the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board at that time, talk say, the then Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, call am on phone to request the N1 billion loan.
“Dem promise say dem go repay the loan within one or two months, but N1 billion no come back until dem dissolve the board,” Daibu tell the court. EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), dey lead am for evidence.
Daibu talk say im dey reluctant initially to approve the loan because UBEC funds na for basic education infrastructure only, not for salary obligations. He add say later, dem received official letter from the Kwara State Ministry of Finance with the governor’s endorsement, which na wetin the board need to proceed.
The fifth witness, Benjamin Fatigun, wey don retire as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, come confirm wetin Daibu talk. Fatigun say the governor get involved when the Ministry of Finance write letter wey explain the state’s difficulty to pay salaries at that time. “There be official letter from the Ministry of Finance to the governor wey detail the state’s salary wahala. The letter suggest to borrow from SUBEB, and the governor approve am. Na so dem transfer the money to the state salary account,” Fatigun testify.
Both witnesses face cross-examination from defence lawyers, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Gboyega Oyewole (SAN). Fatigun confirm say the financial crisis na wetin prompt the loan, and e receive full go-ahead from the governor. Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar don adjourn the case until Friday, April 11, 2025, so that trial fit continue.
