A key witness for Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has told a court that contracts for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects were never awarded during the tenure of former Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, over the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion meant for education, teachers’ salaries, and infrastructure in Kwara State. The duo is accused of diverting the funds between 2013 and 2015, leaving critical education projects abandoned.
Engineer Abdulsalam Olarewaju
Sirajudeen, a former project manager at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), testified at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Thursday, stating that while UBEC projects were advertised and bidding processes were initiated, no contracts were ever awarded to contractors.
Contracts Were Never Awarded, Witness Testifies
Sirajudeen, now the Director of Physical Planning at SUBEB, explained the standard procedures for executing UBEC-funded projects. He told the court that after needs assessments and site visits, project action plans were developed and sent to UBEC for approval. Once approved, advertisements were placed for contractors to bid, with UBEC representatives overseeing the process.
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However, he revealed that despite these steps, no contractors were ever assigned to execute the projects. “While bidders were invited, the projects were never awarded,” he stated under oath. This revelation raises concerns about how the allocated funds were used and why essential educational infrastructure projects never materialized.
Former Governor Denies Allegations
Ahmed and Banu were arraigned on October 21, 2024, at the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. They both pleaded not guilty, insisting they had no direct control over SUBEB accounts. During cross-examination, defense lawyers argued that neither Ahmed nor Banu were signatories to the accounts where UBEC funds were deposited.
The case has been adjourned until April 10 and 11, 2025, for further hearings. The EFCC has vowed to hold those responsible accountable, as corruption in education funding continues to deprive millions of Nigerian children of quality schooling.
