Trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, over the alleged diversion of ₦5.78 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds resumed on Monday, February 16, 2026, with fresh revelations before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
Testifying as the sixth prosecution witness, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Stanley Ujilibo, told the court that funds released to the Kwara State Government for 2013, 2014 and 2015 were not utilised in line with the action plans submitted by the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Ahmed and Banu are being prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, over an alleged diversion of part of ₦5.78 billion UBEC funds contrary to the purpose for which the funds were released.
Led in evidence by Adebisi Adeniyi, the witness (Ujilibo), informed the court that the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had presented detailed action plans outlining various educational projects across the state. With with evidence of its counterpart funding, the Board planned to persuade the Federal Government through UBEC to release the matching grants for the benefit of pupils in primary and junior secondary schools.
Addressing the court, Ujilibo stated that, “My Lord, a team of officials from the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB comprising the Chairman, Director, Finance and Account, Project Manager and top management officials went to Abuja to defend the action plans for 2013, 2014 and 2015, stating the deplorable state of Kwara State Primary and Junior Secondary Education across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State”.
However, the PW 6 disclosed that investigations revealed that the money was moved from the UBEC matching grant accounts into the Kwara State Government’s central account domiciled in a commercial bank. He added that while a portion of the funds was spent on projects such as the reconstruction of Omosebi Bridge, Coca-Cola Road Bridge, Michael Imodu/Afon Junction Road, Lafiaji Township Road and the rehabilitation of the Ilorin water supply network, these projects had no direct link to basic education.
He further told the court that the sum N952,297,227.30 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Two Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira, Thirty Kobo) being the UBEC fund for 2014 was used for principal liquidation of loan. He added that a request allegedly signed by the second defendant (Banu) sought approval to obtain a ₦1 billion loan from SUBEB counterpart funds to augment workers’ salaries.
According to the witness, the funds meant for improving infrastructure and learning conditions in primary and junior secondary schools were ultimately deployed for purposes outside their statutory mandate and without direct benefit to pupils.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s examination-in-chief, Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for the cross-examination of the witness.
EFCC Arraigns Husband, Wife, Two Companies for N740m Investment Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026, arraigned the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, alongside his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu before Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Other defendants in the matter are; Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited.
They were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of about N740million contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishment under Section 18(4) of the same Act.
At the point of arraignment, prosecution counsel, O.S. Ujam informed the court that the prosecution filed amended charges before the court on January 28 ,2026, and prayed the court to read the same to the defendant.
Count one of the amended-charge reads: “That you Osabohien Alex Ologbosele, sometimes between January 2023 and April 2024, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, directly took possession of the aggregate sum of N340, 000,000(Three Hundred and Forty Million Naira ) paid into your account with account number 202277 3919 domiciled in Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited, from the account of Hope Onome Ogbholemu with account number, 0827261710 domiciled in Access Bank PLc, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(20(a) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Another count reads; “That you Osabohien Alex Ologbosele, sometimes between January 2023 and April 2024, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, directly used the aggregate sum of N24,100,000(Twenty Four Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira) paid into your account with account number 2022773919 domiciled in Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited from the account of Hope Onoe Ogbhelemu with account number 0827261710 domiciled in Access Bank Plc, to establish and operate a music and photo studio located at Crowther Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja, when you knew or ought to reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition)Act 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
In view of the “not guilty” plea of the defendants, Ujam prayed the court for a date for commencement of trial. Defence counsel, Marshal Abubakar, also prayed the court to allow the first defendant to continue with an administrative bail granted by the court, while also pleading that the court grant the third defendant bail for nursing a one year- old baby.
In his ruling, Justice Ekerete denied the third defendant bail, but allowed the first defendant to continue enjoying the administrative bail granted by the court. The judge further remanded the third defendant in Suleja Correctional Centre while adjourning the matter for definite hearing to April 27, 2026.
Investigation by the EFCC revealed how the defendants induced various innocent citizens to pay various sums of money into the account of Hope Onome Oghelemu and Onome Global Market Resources Limited, on the false pretence that the monies were for investment for the procurement and exportation of bags of bitter kola and red kolanut to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia after which they would be paid their Return on Investment (ROI).
Further investigation revealed that investors were not paid their ROI and their investment sums were not refunded.