Former Gov. Ahmed diverted SUBEB funds to salary payments, not personal account, EFCC tells court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin that former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed approved the use of a N1 billion loan from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) counterpart fund for the payment of workers’ salaries, and not for transfer into his personal account.

The disclosure came during the continued trial of Ahmed and former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, who are facing prosecution over the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion belonging to SUBEB.

Testifying before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, the sixth prosecution witness, Stanley Ujilibo, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, said investigations showed that Ahmed approved the loan request after it was forwarded by Banu, despite the funds being designated for educational purposes.

According to the witness, the request was contrary to the statutory purpose for which the SUBEB counterpart funds were established.

During cross-examination, Ujilibo told the court that the former governor was not a member of the SUBEB board, although he had the power to appoint the board’s chairman and other key officers.

“The former governor gave approval for a request to secure a N1 billion loan from the state’s SUBEB counterpart fund for the payment of workers’ salaries,” the witness stated.

He further disclosed that the anti-graft agency did not investigate Ahmed’s personal bank accounts because the petition before the commission did not allege that the funds were paid into any of his personal accounts.

Ujilibo also told the court that none of the accounting officers of SUBEB is currently standing trial in connection with the case.

Proceedings were, however, stalled after counsel to the second defendant, Ibn Mahmud, informed the court that lead defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), was indisposed and sought an adjournment.

Earlier, counsel to Ahmed, Abdulrasaq Gold (SAN), had requested time to obtain copies of statements allegedly made by the former governor to the EFCC in Abuja, as well as his asset declaration forms, to aid further cross-examination of the witness.

The EFCC’s counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, opposed the application, arguing that the defence had ample opportunity to request the documents since the commencement of the trial in 2024.

In his ruling, Justice Abdulgafar declined the application but held that the defence could recall the witness for further cross-examination after obtaining the requested documents.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case to July 27, 2026, for the continuation of the witness’s cross-examination.