Former Kwara Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed's N5.78Billion SUBEB Trial Adjourned To July 27 As Defence Counsel Falls Ill

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar fixed the new date on Wednesday after counsel to the second defendant, Ibn Mahmud, informed the court that lead defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, was indisposed and unable to proceed with the matter.

The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has adjourned the trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, to July 27, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of a key prosecution witness in the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion belonging to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar fixed the new date on Wednesday after counsel to the second defendant, Ibn Mahmud, informed the court that lead defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, was indisposed and unable to proceed with the matter.

Ahmed and Banu are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations that N5.78 billion meant for basic education in the state was unlawfully diverted.

During proceedings, the sixth prosecution witness, Stanley Ujilibo, an Assistant Commander with the EFCC, told the court that Ahmed approved a request to obtain a N1 billion loan from Kwara State’s SUBEB counterpart fund for the payment of workers’ salaries.