From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, to July 27, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness, Stanley Ujilibo.
The adjournment followed an oral application by counsel to the second defendant, Ibn Mahmud, who informed the court that the lead defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, was indisposed.
Ahmed and Banu are being prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion belonging to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
During cross-examination, Ujilibo, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, told the court that the SUBEB operated under its own governing board and that neither Ahmed nor Banu was a member. He added that while the former governor appointed the SUBEB chairman and principal officers, he was not part of the board’s membership.
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He further testified that the former governor approved a request to access a N1 billion loan from the SUBEB counterpart fund to pay workers’ salaries, noting that the approval followed a request from the Commissioner of Finance, which he said was contrary to the statutory purpose of the funds.
“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 said.
Ujilibo also disclosed that investigations did not extend to Ahmed’s personal bank accounts, as the petition before the Commission did not link the alleged diversion to any personal account. He further noted that none of the SUBEB accounting officers is currently standing trial in the case.
Midway into proceedings, counsel to the first defendant, Abdulrasaq Gold, applied for an adjournment to enable him obtain copies of Ahmed’s statement to the EFCC in Abuja, as well as his asset declaration forms, for further cross-examination.
Counsel to the EFCC, Adebisi Adeniyi, opposed the application, arguing that the defence had had sufficient time 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.
