A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin that Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) contracts were allegedly never awarded to contractors during the tenure of former Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The EFCC’s third witness, Engineer Abdulsalam Olarewaju Sirajudeen, made this allegation during the ongoing trial concerning the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion in UBEC funds by the ex-governor and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, according to an EFCC statement on Thursday.
Ahmed served as Kwara governor from May 29, 2011, to May 29, 2019.
The duo is accused of conspiring “to steal money meant for the payment of teachers’ salaries under the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), as well as funds designated for security and infrastructural development in the state.”
They were arraigned on October 21, 2024, by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
Both pleaded not guilty to the charges in open court, paving the way for trial.
“The Physical Planning Department prepares the action plans based on guidelines provided by UBEC.”
“UBEC then invites us to Abuja for discussions on the action plan,” he said.
“After approval, an advertisement is placed, inviting qualified contractors to bid. After four weeks, bidding takes place in the presence of all stakeholders, including UBEC representatives. Contractors who win the bids are then mobilized to project sites,” he added.