EFCC mocks critics, re-arraigns ex-gov over N5.78b fraud  

Says detractors feeling the heat
Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, re-arraigned the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, alongside his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, on an amended 14-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N5.78 billion before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin to another division.

Abdulfatah and Banu were earlier arraigned on a 12-count charge of mismanagement of public funds before Justice Anyadike on April 29, 2024, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the presiding judge was transferred in the course of the trial; hence, the case has to start de novo (afresh).

While the name of the embattled ex-governor featured in all the 14 counts, Banu’s name did not appear in Count Seven, where only Ahmed was accused of failure to fill assets declaration form offered to him by officers of the EFCC upon arrest contrary to Section 27(3)(c) of the EFCC Act No. 1 of 2004.

Abdulfatah, among sundry issues, allegedly spent an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500.00 (One billion, six hundred and ten million, seven hundred and thirty thousand, five hundred naira), meant for the security and administration of the state to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited, contrary to Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

The erstwhile governor and his finance commissioner were accused of conspiring to steal money meant to pay salaries of teachers working with the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and also to provide security and other infrastructural facilities for the people of the state, among others.

MEANWHILE, the EFCC has dismissed allegations challenging its legality, stating that those behind the lawsuits against the commission were feeling the impact of its anti-corruption efforts.

Sixteen state attorneys-general have filed a suit with the Supreme Court, questioning the constitutionality of the EFCC’s establishment.

The states argue that the National Assembly failed to adhere to Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which governs the incorporation of international treaties into domestic law.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Show, yesterday, the EFCC emphasised its legitimacy, highlighting that its establishment followed due process in the National Assembly.

EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, expressed concern about the timing of the suit, given Nigeria’s corruption issues. He explained that the commission remained committed to its mandate, stressing that the EFCC had been instrumental in tackling corruption, recovering billions of naira in stolen funds, and prosecuting high-profile cases.

Uwujaren stated, “I am worried that with the corruption problem, we have in this country, some people would challenge the legality of the EFCC in court. What you see playing out today is simply people who are feeling the heat of the EFCC’s work and want to derail its efforts. They see the EFCC as a threat.”

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has scheduled the suit by the 16 state attorneys-general for hearing on Tuesday, October 22.