Former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, along with his former finance commissioner, Ademola Banu, was re-arraigned on Monday on a 14-count charge related to the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion in public funds. The charges, which include accusations of theft and mismanagement, were brought by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.
The re-arraignment follows the transfer of the original trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, who had previously presided over the case at the Federal High Court in Ilorin. According to a statement from Dele Oyewole, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, this transfer necessitated starting the trial anew. The duo was first arraigned on April 29, 2024, on a 12-count charge, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the transfer of Justice Anyadike meant the case could no longer proceed and had to begin afresh under Justice Abdulgafar.
The charges allege that Ahmed and Banu conspired to steal public funds, including money meant for teacher salaries and other state infrastructure projects. One of the more significant allegations accuses the former governor of spending over N1.6 billion, meant for state security and administration, on private jet charters through a company called Travel Messengers Limited. Furthermore, Ahmed is individually accused in count seven of failing to declare his assets to EFCC officers upon his arrest.
The EFCC presented several charges against the duo, including illegally diverting N1 billion intended for the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to pay civil servant salaries. In another charge, the defendants allegedly transferred nearly N1 billion from the same fund to repay loans from Polaris Bank, violating the Universal Basic Education Act.
At the hearing, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, asked the court to accept the new 14-count charge, to which the defense team, led by Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, did not object. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges and sought bail, citing their compliance with previous bail conditions since the case started in 2019.
Justice Abdulgafar granted both Ahmed and Banu bail in the sum of N100 million each, with two sureties, one of whom must be a Permanent Secretary. The trial is set to continue on December 4-5, 2024.
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