The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 14 new charges totaling ₦5.78 billion against former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Ademola Banu, for alleged fraud. The charges, presented before a Kwara State High Court on Monday, center on the misappropriation of public funds intended for state projects and security initiatives.
This re-arraignment follows the withdrawal of their previous case from the Federal High Court after the transfer of the trial judge. Ahmed and Banu had initially pleaded not guilty to earlier charges in April 2024.
Among the allegations, Ahmed is accused of spending ₦1.6 billion meant for state security and administration on chartered private jets. The charges include claims of conspiracy to misappropriate funds allocated for teachers’ salaries and infrastructural projects.
When the case was called, the EFCC’s counsel urged the court to accept the new charges. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and sought to continue their previously granted bail. Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar admitted them to bail in the sum of ₦100 million each, with specific conditions, and adjourned the case until December 4 and 5, 2024, for further hearing.
