A witness from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has accused the former Kwara State administration, led by ex-Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, of mismanaging around N5 billion meant for education projects.
Abubakar Hassan, UBEC’s Assistant Director of Finance, revealed this during a court hearing in Ilorin. He stated that funds allocated for building schools, laboratories, and other facilities between 2013 and 2015 were diverted. The funds included N2 billion for 2013, N876 million for 2014, and N982 million for 2015.
Hassan explained that the funds were to be used for projects approved by the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). However, monitoring revealed that about N2 billion meant for 2013 projects was diverted. UBEC later withdrew the 2014 and 2015 funds due to non-compliance with recommendations to address the diversion.
Ex-Governor Ahmed and his former Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, are now on trial for allegedly embezzling over N5.78 billion. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues, with the next hearing scheduled for February 2025.
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