During an ongoing court case in Ilorin, the former Accountant General of Kwara State, Mr. Suleiman Ishola, confirmed that the government of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed took a N1 billion loan in 2014 to help pay workers and pensioners in the state. He said the money came from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and was used to support salary payments.

The ex-governor, along with his former finance commissioner, Ademola Banu, is facing trial for allegedly diverting N5.78 billion SUBEB funds. However, Ishola, who is the fifth witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that the money was not put into anyone’s personal account.

He explained that the governor had to approve all payments and that the N1 billion was paid into the state’s salary account. Despite receiving the money, there was still a shortfall of over N700 million, which meant the loan could not cover all the salaries and pensions.

Earlier in the trial, the former SUBEB chairman, Alhaji Lanre Daibu, also told the court that the money was used for salaries and not for personal gain. He added that Ahmed and Banu were not signatories to the SUBEB account, making it unlikely they took the money for themselves.

The court has adjourned the case to continue on June 11 and 12, 2025.