The ongoing trial of former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his then Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, took a revealing turn as two key prosecution witnesses detailed how N1 billion earmarked for basic education was allegedly diverted to pay salaries and pensions in 2015.
Testifying before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, the Fourth Prosecution Witness (PW4), Lanre Daibu, former Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said Banu directed the release of the funds from the 2013 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant.
The money, Daibu testified, was intended solely for educational infrastructure but was instead loaned to the state government in January 2015 for salary payments.
Daibu told the court that he initially resisted the request when Banu called him, insisting that it be made in writing.
“The reason we insisted was to secure a formal commitment on when the loan would be repaid,” he said.
Though a letter was later issued promising repayment within one or two months, Daibu said, “they did not repay the loan until the Board was dissolved.”
He added that the use of UBEC funds for any purpose outside of the approved Action Plan was unlawful.
“I was reluctant to grant the request because I was fully aware that the state government had no right to borrow or spend UBEC Matching Grant,” he stated.
You May Like To Also Read: EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General, Others for N8.38bn Fraud
A letter admitted as “Exhibit 4” confirmed that then-Governor Ahmed had approved the release of the funds.
Daibu also noted that his tenure as SUBEB Chairman was cut short when the board was dissolved.
The Fifth Prosecution Witness (PW5), Benjamin Sehinde Fatigun, a retired permanent secretary in the Kwara State Ministry of Finance, corroborated Daibu’s account.
He told the court that the state government, facing a salary crisis, had reached out to the governor for intervention.
“There was an approval from the then governor that the State Universal Basic Education Board should lend the Kwara State Government the sum of N1 billion to augment payment for civil servants and retirees,” Fatigun testified.
He confirmed that the funds were moved to the state’s salary account.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, Fatigun admitted that the Ministry of Finance had formally alerted the governor about the inability to meet salary obligations and suggested the use of SUBEB funds as a last resort.
The EFCC is prosecuting Ahmed and Banu on a 14-count amended charge bordering on the alleged mismanagement and diversion of UBEC funds amounting to N5.78 billion.
Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the matter for continuation of hearing.
