Former Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed and Yahaya Bello Face EFCC Fraud Trials in Nigeria

The Kwara State High Court adjourned the trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Finance Commissioner Ademola Banu to July 27 2026. The EFCC alleges they diverted ₦5.78 billion from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Witness Stanley Ujilibo testified that Ahmed approved a ₦1 billion loan from the SUBEB counterpart fund to pay workers’ salaries, a use he said was outside the fund’s statutory purpose. Defence counsel sought an adjournment due to lead counsel’s illness, which the court granted, allowing further cross‑examination.

In a separate case, the Federal Capital Territory High Court rejected former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello’s attempt to stop his ₦110.4 billion fraud trial. The EFCC charges Bello, along with co‑defendants, with criminal breach of trust and money‑laundering. A prosecution witness disclosed that 50‑60 % of consultancy commissions earned by his firm were paid to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, outside the terms of the agreement. The court found it had territorial jurisdiction and ruled the application an abuse of process, dismissing it and permitting the trial to continue. Both cases remain ongoing.