The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned six officials of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) before Justice Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. They are facing charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds totaling N96 million.
The accused individuals include Ahmed Husain Olarewaju (Director, Finance and Supply), Omole Omololu John (Controller, Finance and Accounts), Fatai Oyerinde (Coordinator, Salary Unit), Mujeeb Ibrahim (Executive Officer, Account and Salary Schedule), Salami Temitope Bashir, and Dauda Aweda Quozim (both staff members of the Salary Unit).
According to the EFCC, between September and December 2018, the defendants, in their capacity as public officers, allegedly misappropriated N33,891,982.37 from a SUBEB account domiciled at Sterling Bank Plc. This act, the prosecution claims, constitutes a criminal breach of trust, which is punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Another charge states that between January and June 2019, the accused officials allegedly diverted an additional N30,406,629.09 from the same account, further violating financial regulations and breaching public trust.
When the charges were read in court, all six defendants pleaded not guilty. EFCC counsel Andrew Akoja then requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody. However, the defense team, led by Abdullahi Lawal, made oral applications for their bail.
Justice Akanbi adjourned the trial to April 16, 2025, and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Ilorin until the next court sitting.