The Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Engineer Abdulsalam Olarewaju Sirajudeen in the trial of a former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu for alleged fraud, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, disclosed before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin that the Ahmed failed to award contracts for UBEC projects in the state, captured and ratified in 2013, 2014 and 2015 State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB Action Plans after UBEC had approved their award and execution, backed with matching grants and counterpart funding.
Ahmed and Banu are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended 14-count charge, bordering on stealing and mismanagement of Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC funds in the state to the tune of N5.78billion.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the witness, a project manager with Kwara State SUBEB in 2013 who later became director of Physical Planning in 2017 told the court that each of the action plans was prepared by SUBEB in the state and sent to UBEC, Abuja for review and approval, which was given. Furthermore, he disclosed that Ahmed’s failure to award the contracts was after an advertisement had been placed for their award and qualified contractors invited for bidding.
“After approval, an advertisement is placed, inviting qualified contractors to bid. After four weeks, bidding takes place in the presence of all stakeholders, including UBEC representatives. Contractors who won the bids are then mobilized to project sites,” he said. He, however, disclosed that in all of the three action plans, the projects advertised and bid for, were never awarded to the successful contractors.
The witness was cross-examined by the defence counsel, led by Jimoh Mumini, SAN, and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN. The case was adjourned till April 10 and 11, 2025, for further hearing.
