The trial of former Kwara State governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, has been rescheduled to February 16, 2026, following proceedings on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at a High Court in Ilorin.
The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involves the alleged misappropriation of ₦5.78 billion in public funds.
Ahmed, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019, and Banu are accused of diverting funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grant scheme, which was intended for school infrastructure and educational projects.
The EFCC filed 14 counts against them, including criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The investigation followed a 2024 petition from the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, prompting EFCC scrutiny of UBEC grants disbursed between 2013 and 2015.
Witnesses have given differing accounts: some said the funds were used to pay civil servants and pensions, while others alleged improper diversion.
The defence maintains that Ahmed and Banu neither controlled the accounts in question nor personally benefitted from the funds.
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The adjournment resulted from a dispute over the format and organization of documents presented by the prosecution.
Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar postponed the trial to allow the defence adequate time to review the materials.
Ahmed and Banu continue to deny all allegations of financial misconduct, with the trial set to resume in February.