EFCC arraigns former Kwara finance commissioner for N1.22 billion fraud

The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) has arraigned a former Commissioner for Finance in Kwara State, Ademola Banu, on the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Ilorin over alleged cash laundering and misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N1.22 billion.

Mr Banu was arraigned earlier than the choose, Evelyn Anyadike, on Monday, an announcement despatched to PREMIUM TIMES by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday mentioned.

The defendant was alleged to have, amongst different sundry offences, conspired to divert the mentioned sum through the administration of then-Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed between Could 2011 and Could 2019 when he served because the Commissioner for Finance.

Mr Banu was to be arraigned alongside his principal, former Governor Abdulfatah, on 23 February 2024, however the scheduled listening to was stalled as a result of he was not in court docket, prompting the choose to subject a warrant of arrest in opposition to Mr Banu.

The court docket, on the mentioned date, took the plea of Mr Abdulfatah on the 12-count cost most popular in opposition to him and Mr Banu.

On the resumed listening to on Monday, the 2 defendants – Messrs Abdulfatah and Banu – listed as the primary and second defendants within the cost, had been current in court docket.

When the case was known as, A. A. Ajibade, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), introduced the looks for Mr Abdulfatah, whereas Gboyega Oyewole, a SAN, for Mr Banu, and the prosecution workforce was led by Rotimi Jacobs, additionally a SAN.

Mr Jacobs knowledgeable the court docket that the second defendant, who was unavailable on the final sitting when his co-defendant, Mr Abdulfatah, was arraigned, was lastly in court docket to take his plea.

In response, Mr Banu’s lawyer, Mr Oyewole, prayed the court docket to discharge the bench warrant earlier issued in opposition to his shopper, which Mr Jacobs didn’t oppose.

In a bench ruling, the choose vacated the bench warrant on the second defendant, setting the stage for his arraignment.

Thereafter, Mr Banu pleaded not responsible to the cost when it was learn to him.

Following his plea, Mr Oyewole utilized for his shopper’s bail. He prayed the court docket to grant the applying on liberal phrases, citing Mr Banu’s medical situations.

However, the prosecution lawyer didn’t oppose the bail request given the sooner ruling.

Bail situations

The choose granted the second defendant bail of N20 million with two sureties in like sum.

Ms Anyadike mentioned the sureties should have landed property throughout the court docket’s jurisdiction.

She added that the sureties should deposit three passport pictures with the court docket’s registrar.

The sureties should additionally produce proof of cost of electrical energy payments for the final three months.2

ALSO READ: Ex-Kwara governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, denies being grilled by EFCC over alleged N9bn fraud

Moreover, the choose ordered that the sum of N5 million have to be paid as a bond into the litigation account of the Federal Excessive Courtroom by the defendant, which can be returned to him after the ultimate dedication of the case however forfeited to the federal authorities within the occasion the defendant jumps bail.

The choose additionally ordered the defendant to deposit his passport with the court docket.

She mentioned Mr Banu should not journey with out the court docket’s permission however could apply for it on medical grounds.

Thereafter, the choose ordered the defendant to be remanded within the custody of the EFCC, pending the perfection of his bail situations.

The case has been adjourned to 25 and 26 June for trial.