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Tag: AbdulFatah Ahmed

  • Improper arrangement of documents stalls trial of ex-Kwara governor, former commissioner

    Improper arrangement of documents stalls trial of ex-Kwara governor, former commissioner

    The trial of former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his ex-Finance Commissioner, Demola Banu, over alleged N5.78 billion fraud resumed yesterday at a State High Court in Ilorin.

    But improper numbering of the documents tendered in court hindered the continuation of the case.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the duo for alleged misapplication of the funds while serving as governor and commissioner in the state.

    Ahmed and Bannu were physically present in court.

    A disagreement between the defence counsel and the EFCC team on the documents tendered before the court, as exhibits, stalled the hearing midway.

    For several minutes, the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), and the lead counsel to the defendants, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), argued about improper arrangement of the documents served on the latter and which were tendered before the court.

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    Jacobs had tendered the documents to be admitted as exhibits before the court, but counsel to the defendants insisted that the “bundle of documents” was different from what was served on them.

    The defence counsel also said the documents were neither properly arranged nor well-numbered to guide the court in the proceedings.

    He argued that the documents served on the defence counsel and which were also available before the court were the same as the ones in his possession.

    Jacobs averred that it was not the duty of his team to number the documents, as tendered for the defence counsel.

    After listening to both parties and carefully perusing the documents, the presiding judge, Justice Mahmud Gafar, agreed with the submission of the defence counsel that the documents needed to be properly arranged.

    He adjourned the case till February 16 for continuation of the hearing.

    The long adjournment, the judge said, would give the EFCC’s legal team sufficient time to properly arrange the documents.

  • Ahmed’s trial: SUBEB didn’t award contract in 2014, 2015, witness tells court

    Ahmed’s trial: SUBEB didn’t award contract in 2014, 2015, witness tells court

    Trial of former Kwara State governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, and his finance commissioner, Demola Banu, for alleged diversion of N5.78 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund, continued yesterday at the state High Court, Ilorin.

    Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the two of them before the court.

    The duo had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

    Although the state paid its counterpart fund, otherwise known as marching grants of N952 million and N869 million to the Skye Bank designated account in 2014 and 2015, the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) did not give out any contract.

    The third witness called by the EFCC in the case, Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, an engineer, told the court that UBEC approved the 2014 and 2015 action plan presented to it by Kwara State SUBEB, saying the contractors that handled the 2013 projects were eventually paid their money after they had protested delay in payment.

    Counsel for EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, led the third witness in evidence in court.

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    Olanrewaju, project manager of SUBEB between 1998 and 2017, said he was in charge of the infrastructure needs of public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

    “I became the director of Physical Planning in 2018. And my duty is to do the condition survey of schools as well as the population of students. I don’t know anything about administration.

    UBEC monitoring team from Abuja came to supervise the extent of job done by the contractors in 2013 and they were satisfied. The job done was beyond expectation,” he added.

    During cross-examination by ex-Governor Ahmed’s counsel, Mumuni Jimoh (SAN), the civil engineer said signatories to SUBEB’s account were the accountant, permanent secretary and executive chairman of the board.

    The second witness, Dr Musa Dasuki, told the court that marching grants from UBEC and SUBEB could not be used for any other purpose than for the infrastructural needs of primary and junior secondary schools to ensure ‘every child counts.’

    During cross-examination by Banu’s counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Dr Dasuki said: “It is wrongful to give out the board’s funds as loans to anybody. Marching grants cannot be used for any other purpose. SUBEB is like a parastatal with executive chair, secretary and other permanent members.”

    He hinted that no board meeting was held before giving out SUBEB funds to the then Kwara State Government between 2013 and 2016.

    Presiding judge, Mahmud Abdulgafar, adjourned the case till April 10 and 11 for continuation of hearing.

  • ‘Ex-governor Ahmed borrowed UBEC counterpart funds to pay salaries’

    ‘Ex-governor Ahmed borrowed UBEC counterpart funds to pay salaries’

    At the resumed hearing of alleged diversion of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) funds by former Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner Demola Banu, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Dr Musa Dasuki, yesterday told a state High Court that the state retrieved its marching grants between 2013 and 2016 to pay workers’ salaries.

    Ilorin Zonal Directorate of EFCC had taken the duo to court, accusing them of misappropriation of Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC’s) marching grants of N5.78 billion between 2013 and 2019.

    However, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Dasuki, a retired permanent Secretary from KWSUBEB, said the state paid its 50 per cent counterpart funds to SUBEB between 2013 and 2016 without default.

    The state paid over N1billion in 2013, N952million, N869million and N973million in 2015, 2015 and 2016 as its marching grants to Skye Bank designated account.

    The witness, who is also a suspect in the case, said the state government requested for the withdrawal of the funds from the Skye Bank designated account as loan for the payment of workers’ salaries.

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    The veterinary surgeon told the court during cross-examination by the former governor counsel, Jimoh Mumuni (SAN) that ex-governor Ahmed and Mr Banu were neither signatories of SUBEB’s account nor board members.

    “The loan was not granted to the then governor Ahmed or his commissioner for finance. Though the loan was not repaid to the best of my knowledge, it was essentially granted to pay workers’ salaries. 

    “The SUBEB has a board. I was a member as a permanent secretary and the accounting officer of the board. The two of them were not members of the board. They cannot be members by the virtue of the law establishing the board.”

    Earlier, when cross-examined by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, the retired permanent secretary said the short term loans granted SUBEB granted to the state government in those years marred the execution of those projects.

    The projects were the provision of infrastructure facilities to primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

  • KWASU shut over appointment of acting VC

    Authorities of the Kwara state University (KWASU), Malete Moro local government are Thursday announced the closure of the institution.

    The closure of KWASU was as a result of protest by students of the school over Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s appointment of acting Vice Chancellor Prof Kenneth Adeyemi for the institution.

    Tenure of the current Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Abdulrasheed Na’Allah expires July this year.

    In a statement Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sakah Mahmud said “because of recent developments in our state and in the university and our students’ reactions to the government’s appointment of an acting vice chancellor in which the students gave a 24 hour ultimatum to government, the university management (and three university members of the governing council) met Thursday, Wednesday, 8 May, 2019 and decided to temporarily close the university until further notice as a preventive measure against any possible disturbances.

    “I want to re-emphasize that this measure is to ensure the security of our great campus. I am in touch with the Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, and he indicates total support that closing the campus at this time is desirable. Thank God that exams have been completed and gradings are still ongoing, with some lecturers already uploading their grades.

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    “Staff and students should leave the University quietly and ensure the safety of property and life. Reports reaching me indicates that a contingence of police (in vehicles belonging to KWIRS) were being driven towards the campus and it took some intervention to get them to return to Ilorin. KWASU does not want any situation in which the ongoing temporary crisis which would be safely and easily resolved by the grace of God lead into the loss of any life.

    “Please take your luggage and other personal properties and go home safely until further notice. Please this decision goes into effect immediately.”

  • Trainee aircraft crash lands, delays Ahmed flight

    Trainee aircraft of the Kwara state-owned International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin has reportedly crash landed at the airport runway.

    The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, affected Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s flight.

    The governor, who was said to be returning from his Abuja trip, and his wife were said to have been delayed as a result of the incident for about three hours before arriving at the airport.

    His convoy stationed at the airport around 2:22pm waiting for his arrival from Abuja airport, had to wait until the airspace was reopened and the governor’s chartered aircraft landed at the airport at exactly 5:35pm.

    The Diamond plane No.5N BNH with two pilots onboard crashed landed at exactly 11:05am without any casualty.

    It was, however, gathered that the staff of the IAC, including the rector and some of the airport workers, had evacuated the aircraft from the runway in order to reopen the airspace for flight operations.

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    It was gathered at the airport that the aircraft might have experienced gear problem, adding that the back tyres refused to pullout when the pilot was trying to land on the runway.

    When contacted, the Airspace Manager of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the airport, Engineer Balogun Abiodun, said that he was not authorised to talk on the incident as a civil servant.

    Also, the Rector of the Aviation college Benedict Adeyileke, an engineer, declined comment when contacted.

    It was also gathered that the aircraft was towed to the Aviation College before the airspace was reopened around 4:00pm for flight operations.

  • Kwara appoints Bologi new Etsu of Patigi

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has approved the appointment of Umar Ibrahim Bologi as the new Etsu of Patigi in the Patigi local government area of Kwara.

    The appointment was contained in a letter signed by Alhaji Saidu Habeeb, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development and addressed to the new monarch.

    The letter read: “I am directed to inform Your Highness that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 3 and 5 of Chief (Appointment and Deposition) Law Cap 9 – Law of Kwara State has approved your Appointment/Grading as 1st Class Chief with effect from April 16, 2019.

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    “It is expected that the appointment would enhance your performance in the discharge of your Royal responsibilities with greater commitment, loyalty and dedication.

    “Please accept my hearty congratulations while wishing you a peaceful and successful reign in your domain.”

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bologi, 38, succeeded his late father, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar, who died on March 19 after a brief illness.

    Until his appointment, he is an officer in the Nigerian Customs Service.

  • Ahmed sets up 24-member transition panel

    KWARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has put in place a-24 member transition implementation committee (TIC).

    The committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Isiaka Gold, would be inaugurated today by the governor.

    Permanent Secretary Political, Cabinet and Special Services, Tunde Shuaib Aremu, will serve as the secretary of the committee.

    Other members of the committee include Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole, Head of Service, Alhaji Wahab Yusuf Baba, Chief of Staff, Government House, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Balikis Oniyangi and Finance Commissioner Demola Banu.

    Others are Works and Transport Commissioner Alhaji Aro Yahaya,  Information and Communications Commissioner Alhaji Ishiak Mohammed Sabi, Commissioners for Energy Alhaji Eleja Taiwo Banu and Health Commissioner Alhaji Usman Kolo Rifun.

    The committee members also include Special Adviser, Government House Alhaji Ibrahim Kayode Adeyemi, Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) Prof. Muritala Awodun, Special Adviser Political Alhaji Toyin Olookoba Sulyman, Chairman SUBEB Lambe AbdulKareem, Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy Prince Tunji Moronfoye, Chairman, Harmony Holdings Limited Prof. Kenneth Adeyemi and Director General, Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Salman Ibrahim.

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    Also part of the committee are  former Education Commissioner Musa Yeketi, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications Dr. Muyideen Akorede, former chairman, Civil Service Commission Alhaji Salman Adelodun Ibrahim, Chairman, Teaching Service Commission Rasaq Ibrahim, former permanent secretary, general services Muritala Shehu and Elder  David A. Adesin.

    In a statement, Gold said the committee members will interface with the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition.

    The statement added that “the government TICs inauguration follows the completion of the administration’s handover notes by a separate committee headed by Kwara State Head of Service, Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole and comprising cabinet members and other government officials”.

     

  • Ahmed cautions against electoral fraud

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has warned against electoral fraud and other forms of disruption into Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    In a pre-election message, Governor Ahmed again warned trouble makers and those keen to frustrate the elections through electoral fraud such as ballot box snatching, double voting and use of voter cards belonging other people to desist as those apprehended for such acts will be prosecuted according to rule of law.

    The governor reminded all eligible voters that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has made validation through card readers a precondition for voting in the elections, stressing security agencies will be on standby to help the electoral body enforce this and all rules relating to the conduct of the poll.

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    While urging the people to come and vote during the elections, Ahmed said he has secured the assurances of the police, army and other security agencies that no one will be harassed or intimidated before, during and after the elections by security agents.

    He urged anyone who feels he or she has been unlawfully treated or harassed by security agencies in the course of the elections to report such incidents to the relevant authorities for redress.

  • Ahmed to implement N30,000 minimum wage

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to implement the N30,000 minimum wage as soon as it is passed into law.

    Recently, the governor signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation with labour leaders in the state.

    Accordingly, the governor approved the establishment of a committee on the implementation of wage

    At the inauguration of the 10-member committee on Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital, the State Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole charged the committee to work out modalities for the implementation of increased minimum wage in the state.

    She said that “the committee is expected to among other things look at various funding windows, smooth implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage and work out an actionable plan for the implementation of the minimum wage in the state once passed into law.”

    Mrs. Oluwole, who reiterated the determination of the state government to implement the new Minimum Wage, renewed the government’s commitment to ensuring improved welfare of the state workforce.

    The committee has the State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale as Chairman while the Director of Establishment and Pension in the Office of Head of Service will serve as the Secretary.

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    Other members of the committee are the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Training, Permanent Secretary, Service and Welfare, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council.

    But group known as Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (Kwara-CGGA) described the governor’s decision as a campaign gimmick.

    In a statement, Secretary General of the group, Hassan Omoiya, said that neither Ahmed nor his political family has a history of honouring agreements.

    The statement reads: “The MOU is a familiar campaign gimmick from a governor who couldn’t faithfully implement the 18,000 National Minimum Wage. It is one thing to make a promise. It is another thing for the fellow making the promise to be believable,” Omoiya said.

    “Of course, the governor doesn’t have any record of fulfilling any pact with not just the labor but the entire people of Kwara. If you can’t pay 18,000 minimum wage, how do you plan to pay 30,000? The governor should first implement the 18,000 minimum wage, including the arrears of same since 2011, and then the suffering workers may consider his latest pledge.  What is the worth of an MOU that is certain to be ignored?! If you can’t pay minimum wage with a N190bn budget, how would you pay it through a N150bn budget? It is a case of wanting to fool the people twice. Our people are no fools!

    “As we speak, several categories of workers in Kwara — serving and retired — are being owed up to 11 months in salaries, pensions and gratuities arrears. These include but are not limited to workers across local government, water corporation, sports council,  Harmony Transport Service and Kwara Football Academy. What about the dubious deduction of workers’ pay against which no one dares to talk?

    “The truth is that the people of Kwara are completely fed up with the deceitful political tendency that Governor Ahmed represents and, given its interesting history of never honouring its words and humiliating our people, no amount of latter-day promise can avert the imminent punishment awaiting them at the polls.”

     

  • PDP protests posting of CP Egbetokun to Kwara

    Members and supporters of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday poured into the major streets of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital to protest the recent redeployment of Kayode Egbetokun as the new Commissioner of police to the state.

    They took the peaceful protest from the party secretariat located at the Flower Garden area of the metropolis to the Government House, the state Department of State Service (DSS) office and terminated it at the state police headquarters, along Ahmadu Bello way.

    The protesters claimed they were venting the anger peacefully against the police high command for posting of Mr. Egbetokun to the state ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    The protesters, led by PDP Youth Leader in the state, Prince Haliru Dantsoho, wielded placards with various inscriptions calling for Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu and President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the decision.

    Some of the placards read: “CP Kayode must go,’ ‘Kwarans totally reject an APC commissioner,’ ‘Kwara cannot be annexed to Lagos.’”

    Dantoso, who said the people had never protested against deployment of any police commissioner to the state, added that the new CP posed threat to peace in the state.

    According to him: “Egbetokun was one- time chief security officer.

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    (CSO) to the APC leader, Senator Bola Tinubu. Also, he was

    spontaneously rejected by people of Lagos when he was posted there recently and the deployment was reversed by the acting IGP, Mohammed Adamu.

    “Unfortunately, the same man, who parades himself as APC member has now been posted to Kwara state.

    “It’s a ploy to further intimidate the opposition. You recall how members of opposition were arrested, harassed during by-election into Ekiti Oke Ero Isin Irepodun federal constituency recently.

    “So, with the deployment of Egbetokun, free, fair and credible elections cannot be guaranteed.

    “It’s on this note we frown at the deployment, calling on IGP to immediately redeploy him to other states of their wish and not Kwara state.

    “Kwara has been a peaceful state of harmony since. We don’t want anything that will affect the peace and harmony we’ve been enjoying.

    “So, we call on Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders concerned to consider our request and reverse the deployment to Kwara state.

    “Considering the threat by some APC leaders like Adams Oshiomhole and Alhaji Lai Mohammed to deploy all available resources including security agencies, INEC to ensure they take over power from PDP government administration this deployment of Egbetokun is a confirmation of their threat.”