Former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed, faced arraignment at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the state capital, on Friday. This follows allegations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he misused state funds during his tenure.
Ahmed stands accused of diverting a staggering sum of N1,610,730,500.00, which was designated for state security and operational expenses, towards chartering private jets while he held office.
According to documents obtained by The PUNCH, the EFCC disclosed that Ahmed would be arraigned on charges relating to an alleged N10 billion fraud. The charges against him include 12 counts, with one count specifically accusing him of unlawfully converting N400 million from a N1 billion short-term loan intended for ongoing state projects.
In their statement, the EFCC outlined the allegations, stating, “Ahmed (while being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court used an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500, property of Kwara State Government, meant for the security and running cost of the Government of Kwara State, to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited on different occasions for your local travels…”
Abdulfattah Ahmed, who previously served as the state finance commissioner during Dr. Bukola Saraki’s tenure, assumed office as governor from 2011 to 2019.