Former Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed Re-arraigned for Alleged N5.78 Billion Diversion

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 21, 2024, re-arraigned former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, on a 14-count amended charge of alleged public funds diversion totaling N5.78 billion. The re-arraignment took place before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Federal High Court in Ilorin.

This development follows the transfer of the previous trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, who initially presided over the case when the defendants were first arraigned in April 2024 on a 12-count charge. Due to the judge’s transfer, the case was restarted.

The charges against Ahmed and Banu include allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) projects and other state expenditures. One notable accusation states that Ahmed allegedly spent over N1.6 billion meant for state security and administration on chartering private jets.

In addition to the mismanagement allegations, the EFCC charged Ahmed with failure to declare his assets upon arrest. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After their pleas, defense counsel applied for bail, citing the defendants’ compliance with prior administrative bail conditions. Justice Abdulgafar granted bail to both defendants, each in the sum of N100 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired permanent secretary.

The case is adjourned to December 4, 2024, for trial.