Absence of witnesses stalls trial of ex-Kwara governor, commissioner over alleged N5.78bn diversion

The trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, over the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was stalled on Monday due to the absence of two prosecution witnesses.

According to Daily Post, the two former officials are being prosecuted over allegations that more than N5.78 billion belonging to SUBEB was diverted to pay the salaries of civil servants in the state.

The proceedings resumed with the conclusion of the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, Stanley Ujilibo, whose testimony had been moved from the previous sitting.

However, prosecution counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, informed the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin that the next two witnesses were unavoidably absent and requested an adjournment, assuring the court that they would be available at the next sitting.

During cross-examination by Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, counsel to Ahmed, Ujilibo said he could not confirm whether Ayoola Idowu, a civil servant who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion, benefited from the funds allegedly used to pay workers’ salaries.

Ajibade had asked whether Idowu, as a civil servant, benefited from the funds when they were allegedly used to pay the salaries of state workers.

Similarly, during cross-examination by Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, counsel to Banu, the witness was unable to identify any document showing that Banu, while serving as Commissioner for Finance, wrote to request that money be borrowed from the SUBEB fund.

When asked to examine the exhibits before the court, Ujilibo identified a letter written by Banu to Ahmed requesting that the state pay its counterpart contribution to the SUBEB fund.

Oyewole pointed out that the letter did not concern borrowing but the payment of funds. The witness then identified another letter relating to borrowing, but acknowledged that it was signed by another person and not Banu.

The defence counsel did not oppose the prosecution’s request for an adjournment.

Justice Abdulgafar Mahmoud subsequently adjourned the case to November 9, 2026.