EFCC Witness Alleges Diversion of ₦5.78bn UBEC Funds in Trial of Ex-Kwara Governor

Fresh details emerged on Monday at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin as the trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, resumed over the alleged misapplication of ₦5.78 billion released by the Universal Basic Education Commission.

Testifying before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, the sixth prosecution witness and an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Stanley Ujilibo, told the court that funds allocated to Kwara State for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 fiscal years were allegedly not used in line with the approved action plans submitted by the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board.

Ahmed and Banu are facing charges filed by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The anti-graft agency alleges that part of the ₦5.78 billion UBEC matching grants released to the state was diverted to purposes not related to basic education.

Led in evidence by Adebisi Adeniyi of the chambers of Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Ujilibo explained that the State Universal Basic Education Board had met the conditions required for the release of the funds. He said the board prepared detailed action plans outlining proposed projects across the state and provided evidence of counterpart funding.

According to the witness, a delegation from SUBEB, including its chairman, director of finance and accounts, project manager and other top officials, travelled to Abuja to defend the action plans for the three years. They reportedly highlighted the poor state of primary and junior secondary education across the 16 local government areas of the state.

However, Ujilibo said EFCC investigations revealed that after the funds were released, they were moved from the designated UBEC matching grant accounts into the Kwara State Government’s central account with a commercial bank.

He told the court that parts of the funds were allegedly used for infrastructure projects not connected to basic education. These included the reconstruction of Omosebi Bridge, Coca-Cola Road Bridge, Michael Imodu/Afon Junction Road, Lafiaji Township Road and the rehabilitation of the Ilorin water supply network.

The witness further stated that ₦952,297,297.30, representing the 2014 UBEC allocation, was allegedly used to liquidate a loan principal. He also said a request, allegedly signed by Banu, sought approval to access a ₦1 billion loan from SUBEB counterpart funds to help pay workers’ salaries.

Ujilibo maintained that the redirection of the funds meant resources meant for classrooms, learning facilities and improved conditions in public primary and junior secondary schools were spent outside their statutory purpose and without direct benefit to pupils.

At the end of the prosecution’s examination-in-chief, Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the case until April 20, 2026, for the defence to cross-examine the witness.