A Kwara State High Court has adjourned the ongoing trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and ex-Finance Commissioner Ademola Banu to February 16, 2026, following testimony from an EFCC investigator. The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecutes the duo over alleged diversion of ₦5.78 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants meant for school infrastructure across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Trial Resumes with Key Witness
The case resumed on January 8, 2026, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, with Stanley Ujilibo, an EFCC Assistant Commander and sixth prosecution witness, providing detailed evidence. Ujilibo testified that the EFCC obtained bank statements from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Guaranty Trust Bank via letters dated August 1, 2025, to trace the misused funds. These documents, tendered and admitted as exhibits, showed how UBEC grants and state counterpart funds—totaling 50% contributions required for project access—were redirected to civil servants’ salaries instead of educational facilities.
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Objection and Adjournment
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) sought to introduce responses from the Kwara Ministry of Finance and Accountant-General’s office, prompted by a state government petition dated April 17, 2024. Defence counsel Kamaldeen Ajibade objected, claiming the documents lacked proper front-loading for reference. Justice Abdulgafar upheld the objection and fixed February 16 for continuation.
Case Background
The charges stem from allegations that Ahmed and Banu approved UBEC funds for salary payments during Ahmed’s tenure (2011-2019). Earlier, seventh prosecution witness Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, former state Accountant-General, confirmed ₦1 billion from a 2015 UBEC grant went to salaries and pensions. Both defendants provided voluntary statements to EFCC investigators without coercion.
