Alleged Misappropriation: Former Kwara State Governor Granted ₦50m bail 

Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has granted the former governor of the state, Abdulfatah Ahmed, a ₦50 million bail after pleading not guilty to 12 counts bordering on alleged mismanagement of public funds amounting to ₦10 billion.

Ahmed, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since his initial invitation for questioning on Monday, was arraigned before Justice Evelyn Anyadike on Friday.

As reported earlier, charges against the former governor include the use of ₦1,610,730,500.00 earmarked for the security and running cost of the Kwara State Government to charter private jets for local travels through Travel Messengers Limited during his tenure from 2015 to 2019.

Also reported was that Ahmed stands accused of converting ₦411 million meant for state security provisions between January and December 2018.

Former Kwara State Commissioner of Finance, Ademola Banu, was also named as a second defendant in the case. Banu faces a 10-count charge related to alleged mismanagement of public funds during Ahmed’s administration.

During the court proceedings, the defence team led by Kehinde Eleja, SAN, focused solely on Ahmed’s defence, leading to Justice Anyadike issuing a bench warrant against Banu.

After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Anyadike granted Ahmed bail in the sum of ₦50 million, with two sureties required to post similar amounts. The sureties must also surrender their passports to the court registrar, and one of them must possess landed property in Ilorin, with the property’s title documents deposited with the Registrar of the Federal High Court.

Following the bail ruling, Ahmed was ordered to remain in EFCC custody until the bail conditions were met. The trial is scheduled to commence on April 29th and 30th, 2024.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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