The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has re-arraigned the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed alongside his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu on a 14-count amended charge bordering on alleged stealing and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N5.78billion before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin to another division.
Governor Abdulfatah and Banu were first arraigned on a 12-count charge of mismanagement of public funds before Justice Anyadike on April 29, 2024, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the presiding judge was transferred in the course of trial. Hence, the case has to start de-novo
While the name of the embattled ex governor featured in all the fourteen counts, Banu’s name did not appear in count 7 where only Ahmed was accused of failure to fill assets declaration form offered him by officers of the EFCC upon arrest contrary to Section 27(3)(c) of the EFCC Act No. 1 of 2004.
Governor Abdulfatah among sundry issues allegedly spent an aggregate sum of One Billion, Six Hundred and Ten Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred Naira, meant for the security and administration of the state to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited, contrary to Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.
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The erstwhile Governor and his finance commissioner were accused to have conspired to steal money meant to pay salaries of teachers working with the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and also to provide security and other infrastructural facilities for the people of the State among others.
Responding, the lead counsel to the first and second defendant, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, did not object to the application. Therefore, Justice Abdulgafar granted the application and ordered that the charge be read to the defendants.
The duo pleaded not guilty to their respective charge when it was read to them.
Thereafter, the defence, through separate application on behalf of their clients, sought the leave of the court to move oral applications for the bail of the defendants. They told the court that the case had started since 2019 and the defendants were granted administrative bail by the Commission, which they had never jumped.
They urged the court to exercise its discretion to admit the first and second defendants to bail as all the offences levelled against them are bailable.
Ruling on the applications, Justice Abdulgafar admitted the former Governor (Abdulfatah) and his co-traveler, Banu, to bail in the sum of One hundred million naira with two sureties each. One of the sureties must be a permanent secretary serving or retired.
Thereafter, the case was adjourned till December 4 – 5, 2024, for commencement of trial.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
