Former Kwara Governor Faces Trial Over ₦5.78bn Education Fund Misappropriation

The trial of former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Finance Commissioner Ademola Banu resumed in January 2025, focusing on allegations they misappropriated ₦5.78 billion in education funding intended for school infrastructure. The case, brought by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), centres on accusations that funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) were improperly diverted to pay civil service salaries.

At a hearing before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, EFCC witness Stanley Ujilibo testified that investigators obtained bank statements from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Guaranty Trust Bank as part of their inquiry into the alleged diversion of public funds. The trial has been adjourned until February 16, 2026, for continuation.

Background and Context

The alleged fraud involves UBEC matching grants—funds specifically designated by the Nigerian federal government for constructing basic infrastructure in primary and junior secondary schools across Nigeria's 36 states. Under the programme, states provide counterpart funding equal to fifty percent of the federal allocation, creating a dedicated pool for educational development. In Kwara State, these funds were meant to serve all sixteen local government areas.

According to investigators, the Ahmed administration allegedly borrowed ₦1 billion in UBEC matching grants in 2015 to cover salaries and pensions for civil servants—a direct contravention of the educational mandate. Previous testimony from Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola, who served as Kwara's Accountant-General from 2013 to 2019, confirmed the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for educational infrastructure.

Key Figures and Entities

Abdulfatah Ahmed served as Governor of Kwara State from 2011 to 2019, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC). His co-defendant, Ademola Banu, held the portfolio of Commissioner for Finance during his administration. Both men face prosecution by the EFCC's Ilorin Zonal Directorate, with the case being heard in the Kwara State High Court.

The prosecution team is led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, while Kamaldeen Ajibade represents the defence. The case involves multiple witnesses, with Stanley Ujilibo, the sixth prosecution witness, providing testimony about the EFCC's investigative methods and evidence collection from Nigerian financial institutions.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The EFCC's investigation relied on formal requests for banking documentation, with letters dated August 1, 2025, sent to the managing directors of what was then Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) and GTBank. These statements were subsequently tendered as exhibits in court proceedings, forming part of the prosecution's evidence trail.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria's public financial management system, particularly regarding the ring-fencing of dedicated development funds. The UBEC programme, established under the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act of 2004, represents one of Nigeria's most significant federal-state partnerships for educational development, making the alleged diversion of funds particularly concerning for anti-corruption advocates.

International Implications and Policy Response

While the case is domestic, it resonates with broader international concerns about the misappropriation of education funding in developing countries. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals emphasise transparent investment in education as crucial for national development, making the alleged diversion of ₦5.78 billion potentially damaging to Kwara's educational advancement and Nigeria's international credibility.

The trial also tests the effectiveness of Nigeria's anti-corruption architecture, which has faced criticism for slow convictions despite high-profile arrests. The EFCC, established in 2003, continues to pursue cases involving public officials, though critics note the lengthy judicial process often delays accountability. The adjournment of this high-profile case until 2026 underscores the challenges Nigeria faces in delivering timely justice in complex financial crime cases.

Sources

This report draws on court proceedings from the Kwara State High Court, statements from Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and public records regarding the Universal Basic Education Commission. Additional context comes from Nigeria's Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act of 2004 and publicly available information about Nigeria's judicial system and anti-corruption efforts.