The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed 14 new charges against former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his former Commissioner of Finance, Ademola Banu.
The charges, totaling N5.78 billion in alleged fraud, were presented at the Kwara State High Court before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar on Monday, October 21.
The EFCC accuses the duo of diverting public funds allocated for state projects and security during their tenure. This fresh arraignment follows the withdrawal of the case from the Federal High Court in Ilorin last week, due to the transfer of the previous trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike.
Ahmed and Banu were initially arraigned on April 29, 2024, facing a 12-count charge related to the mismanagement of public funds, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the trial is set to restart following Justice Evelyn Anyadike’s transfer.
READ ALSO :EFCC: Ex-Kwara Governor faces N10bn diversion charge
The latest charges include allegations that Ahmed diverted N1.61 billion meant for security and administration to charter private jets, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000. Additionally, Ahmed and Banu are accused of using N1billion intended for teachers’ salaries and public projects for other purposes, including loan repayments.
One of the key charges against the former governor involves his failure to complete an assets declaration form upon arrest, an offense punishable by a five-year prison term under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004.
When the case was called, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, requested the court to accept the 14-count charge, which was not opposed by the defense counsels. Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar granted the request, and the charges were read to the defendants as the trial commenced.
Credible News recalls that in February, Ahmed was arrained by the EFCC in connection with a suspected diversion of over N10 billion. Ahmed honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation at the Ilorin zonal office after which he was grilled again by investigators. It was the ex-governor’s third interrogation in connection with the matter. He was initially invited on December 8, 2020. The agency, it was learned, had agreed to Ahmed’s request to report voluntarily.
“The ex- governor was questioned about the diversion and mismanagement of N10 billion in Kwara State Government funds between 2011 and 2019. It is about alleged diversion, misappropriation of funds and money laundering. We have been on this investigation since 2019. We contacted the ex-governor and asked him to report to the Ilorin Office because of jurisdiction. That is where he allegedly committed the crime. The former governor voluntarily reported to the EFCC office in Ilorin. There was no justification for arresting him,” a source to the agency disclosed.
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