Kwara Ex-Gov diverted N1bn UBEC funds for salaries – EFCC

A prosecution witness, Lanre Daibu, on Thursday, has told the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin that the sum of N1 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant for 2013 was diverted in January 2015 to pay salaries and pensions, and was never repaid before the state’s education board was dissolved.

Daibu, who served as Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), made this revelation while testifying as the fourth prosecution witness (PW4) in the ongoing trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his then Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the duo on a 14-count amended charge bordering on the alleged diversion and mismanagement of UBEC funds totaling N5.78 billion.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Daibu stated that Banu had called him by phone to request the release of N1 billion from the UBEC fund to cover salaries and pensions. However, SUBEB insisted the request must be made in writing to ensure accountability.

“In the letter signed on behalf of the second defendant, there was a promise to repay within a month or two, but the loan was never repaid until the Board was dissolved,” Daibu told the court.

He emphasized that he was hesitant to grant the loan because such funds were meant strictly for educational development in line with UBEC’s Action Plan. A letter presented in court, marked “Exhibit 4,” showed that the state governor approved the loan.

Another witness, Benjamin Sehinde Fatigun, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), corroborated Daibu’s testimony, saying Ahmed approved the N1 billion loan which was subsequently transferred to the state’s salary account.

Fatigun said the Ministry of Finance had written to the Governor seeking help due to salary payment difficulties and suggested SUBEB funds as a solution.

During cross-examination by defence counsels Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, the witnesses reaffirmed their positions.

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar adjourned the matter until Friday, April 11, 2025, for continuation of hearing.