N5.78bn UBEC Fraud: Court Adjourns ex-Gov. Ahmed’s Trial to July 27

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, adjourned the trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, until 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 (SAN), 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 Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

During his testimony, Ujilibo stated that Ahmed approved a request to obtain a N1 billion loan from the state’s SUBEB counterpart fund for the payment of workers’ salaries. He explained that the approval was granted following a request by Banu and was contrary to the statutory purpose for which the SUBEB funds were designated.

Under cross-examination, Ujilibo, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, told the court that SUBEB operated under its own governing board and that neither Ahmed nor Banu was a member of the board.

He explained that although the former governor had the authority to appoint the SUBEB chairman and other principal officers, he did not serve as a member of the board.

“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 told the court.

Ujilibo further disclosed that investigators did not examine Ahmed’s personal bank accounts because the petition before the EFCC did not link the allegedly diverted funds to any account belonging to the former governor.

He also stated that none of the accounting officers of SUBEB is currently standing trial in connection with the case.

Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to the first defendant, Abdulrasaq Gold (SAN), sought an adjournment to enable the defence obtain copies of the statement Ahmed made to the EFCC in Abuja, as well as his asset declaration forms, for further cross-examination of the witness.

However, EFCC counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, opposed the request, arguing that the defence had ample time to seek 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 court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 27, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of witnesses.