N5.78B ALLEGATIONS: KWARA STATE EX-GOVERNOR ABDULFATAH, COMMISSIONER NOT SIGNATORIES TO SUBEB ACCOUNT -EFCC WITNESS 12-03-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness in the case of alleged diversion of N5.78 billion Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) against ex-Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance commissioner, Demola Banu, Dr. Musa Dasuki, told a state High Court, Ilorin that the two defendants were neither signatories of SUBEB’s account nor members of its board.
Cross-examined by the former governor’s counsel, Mr. Jimoh Mumuni (SAN
Dr. Dasuki, who is a Veterinary Surgeon, told the court at the resumed hearing of the case, that former governor Ahmed and Mr. Banu were not signatories of SUBEB’s account.
According to him the loan was not granted to the then governor Ahmed nor his commissioner for Finance. adding that the loan was not repaid, but was essentially granted to pay workers salaries.
He said SUBEB has a board which he was a member as a permanent secretary and the accounting officer of the board.noting that the two of them were not members of the board and they cannot be members by the virtue of the law establishing the board”.
Dr. Dasuki also told the court that the state retrieved its SUBEB marching grants between 2013 and 2016 to pay workers salaries.
Ilorin zonal Directorate of EFCC had dragged the duo to court accusing them of misappropriation of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC’s) marching grants of N5.78 billion between 2013 and 2019.
However, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Dr. Dasuki a retried permanent Secretary from KWSUBEB, said the state paid its 50 per cent counterpart funds to SUBEB between 2013 and 2016 without default.
The state paid over one billion Naira in 2013, N952 million, N869 million and N973 million in 2015, 2015 and 2016 respectively as its marching grants to Skye Bank designated account.