Court Adjourns Ex-Kwara Gov’s ₦5.78bn Fraud Trial to Feb 16

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.​

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.​

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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.