EFCC Charges Former Kwara Finance Commissioner with N1.22 billion Fraud
The EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Command charged former Kwara State finance commissioner Ademola Banu with money laundering and embezzlement of N1.22 billion in state funds before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin.
While serving as governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s finance commissioner, the defendant was accused of plotting to steal the money between May 2011 and May 2019.
Banu and his principal, former governor Abdulfatah, were scheduled to be arraigned on February 23, 2024, according to the commission’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Monday. He was absent from court and unrepresented when the case arose. After EFCC attorney Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, applied, the court issued a bench warrant against him.
The court heard former governor Abdulfatah’s plea to the EFCC’s 12-count charge against him and his finance commissioner on the designated day. It subsequently gave the prosecution until Monday, April 29, 2024, to try Banu.
Abdulfatah Ahmed and Ademola Banu, the first and second defendants, were in court on Monday to resume the case.
A. A. Ajibade, SAN, led the prosecution, while Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, announced Banu’s attendance.
Jacobs told the court that the second defendant, who was absent for Abdulfatah’s arraignment, was there to plead.
“My Lord, at the last adjournment, the first defendant (governor Abdulfatah) took his plea, but your lordship issued a bench warrant against the second defendant (Banu) because he was not in court that day,” he said.
“After the judge’s order, the second defendant’s attorney called me to say he would bring his client to court today, which he did. Please let him hear the charge, court.
Banu’s counsel, Oyewole, then asked the court to remove the bench warrant against his client. Jacobs did not protest.
Justice Anyadike promptly lifted the bench warrant on the second defendant, who will be arraigned. Justice Anyadike ordered him to plead in the dock.
Three charge state counts:
Between January and December 2018, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State, and Adela Banu, Commissioner of Finance, conspired to commit an offence by converting N411,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Eleven Million Naira) in Kwara State Government property meant for security.
After hearing the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
SAN Oyewole moved for his client’s bail after his plea. He urged the court to provide leniency due to the client’s health.
Jacobs did not object to the application due to the earlier decision.
Justice Anyadike granted the second defendant N20 million bail with two similar sureties who had to own land under court jurisdiction. The court registrar requires three passport images from sureties. The sureties must also provide three months of electricity bill payments.
The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit N5 million in bail into the Federal High Court litigation account. He will get his bond back after the case is resolved, but the Federal Government will forfeit it if the offender skips bail.
The judge added that the defendant may request medical leave, but he must get court approval and deposit his foreign passport. The judge returned the defendant to the EFCC until his bail was met.
Case trial is June 25–26, 2024.