A crucial witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Demola Banu, has testified that neither defendant was a signatory to the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) account.

Dr Musa Dasuki, a retired Permanent Secretary who served as a board member and accounting officer at KWSUBEB, made this revelation during cross-examination at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. He affirmed that Ahmed and Banu did not play any direct role in managing the agency’s finances during his tenure.

Dasuki further explained that the contentious N5.78 billion loan cited in the case was utilised primarily for paying workers’ salaries, contrary to EFCC allegations that the funds were misappropriated.

The commission had accused the duo of diverting Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants between 2013 and 2019. However, both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court is currently evaluating the evidence presented as the trial progresses.