By correspondent in Ilorin.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged six senior officials from the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with orchestrating a large-scale fraud, allegedly embezzling a total of N96 million in public funds.
The accused were brought before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Tuesday where they faced multiple counts of criminal misappropriation.
The accused individuals—Ahmed Husain Olarewaju (Director of Finance and Supply), Omole Omololu John (Controller of Finance and Accounts), Fatai Oyerinde (Coordinator of the Salary Unit), Mujeeb Ibrahim (Executive Officer in Accounts and Salary Schedule), Salami Temitope Bashir, and Dauda Aweda Quozim.
They are all facing charges related to the illegal diversion of public funds meant for SUBEB operations between 2018 and 2020.
Court documents revealed that the accused masterminded a scheme in which N33.8 million was siphoned from a Sterling Bank account.
Another charge involves their alleged misuse of N30.4 million between January and June 2019, funds that were originally designated for the board’s operational expenses.
During the proceedings, the six officials pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The EFCC prosecutor, Andrew Akoja, called for their remand in custody and requested the court to set a trial date.
The defense attorney, Abdullahi Lawal, filed a bail application on behalf of the accused.
Justice Suleiman Akanbi adjourned the case until April 16, 2025, and ordered the defendants to be detained at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Ilorin, pending the next hearing.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
