Crime
Another Witness Confirms Ex-Governor Ahmed’s Kwara UBEC Loan Over Alleged N5.78bn Fraud
Another Witness Confirms Ex-Governor Ahmed’s Kwara UBEC Loan Over Alleged N5.78bn Fraud
Another witness confirms ex-governor Ahmed’s Kwara UBEC loan over alleged N5.78bn fraud. The Sixth Prosecution Witness, PW6, Suleiman Oluwadare Ishola in the ongoing trial of the former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, has corroborated the testimonies of earlier witnesses that the Ahmed’s administration borrowed the funds of Kwara State’s Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC to offset backlog salaries of workers and pensioners in the state.
Ahmed and Banu are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended 14-count charge, bordering on stealing and mismanagement of UBEC funds in the state to the tune of N5.78billion.
Testifying on Friday, April 11, 2025, Ishola, who served as the Accountant-General of Kwara State between 2013 – 2019, told Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin that, the sum of N1billion being a matching grant from UBEC was borrowed by the Abdulfatah administration in 2015 to pay salaries of civil servants and pensioners.
The testimony aligned with that of the former Chairman of the Kwara SUBEB, Barrister Lanre Daibu, who had on Thursday, April 10, 2025 disclosed that he received a formal request from the state government to borrow N1billion from the 2013 UBEC Matching Grant to settle outstanding salaries and pensions in the state.
Daibu stated that he initially hesitated to approve the request, knowing that UBEC funds were strictly for projects outlined in its Action Plan and not to be diverted for any other use.
He, however, disclosed that the request was eventually granted, but never repaid throughout his tenure
While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the witness stated that he received a copy of the letter conveying the governor’s approval of the loan request.
“At a point, I was copied the letter that the sum of N1billion has been borrowed from the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. The essence of the loan was to pay salaries of civil servants and pensioners.
I received the letter containing the approval by His Excellency, the executive governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed from the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ademola Banu,” he said.
The witness further confirmed that the N1billion was credited to the state’s salary account in Polaris Bank Plc. However, he said that the amount was insufficient to cover the entire wage bill, prompting the use of an additional N740 million from existing funds to meet the salary obligations.
Kwara
Testifying further, the witness stated that in 2016, he received a directive from the second defendant to liquidate the loan, and that the fund was subsequently repaid, as reflected in the state’s account records.
The witness also disclosed how that he was invited by the EFCC, where he was presented with vouchers that indicated that another loan of N850million (Eight Hundred Million Naira) was allegedly taken by the state government.
The matter was adjourned till June 10 and 11, 2025 for continuation of trial.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
-
Crime7 months agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
Akwa Ibom10 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Akwa Ibom10 months agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News10 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
News9 months agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
News8 months agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Economy7 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?
-
Politics10 months agoPresident Trump Changes Divorce Law, No 50% Property Shares