EFCC Arraigns Ex-Finance Commissioner In Kwara Over Alleged ₦1.22 Billion Fraud

EFCC Arraigns Ex-Finance Commissioner In Kwara Over Alleged ₦1.22 Billion Fraud

Ademola Banu, a former commissioner for finance in Kwara State, is facing trial over allegations of money laundering and misappropriation of state funds amounting to ₦1.22 billion. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Banu before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin…..READ ALSO EFCC Launches Probe Into Suspected Oil Theft Syndicate In Lagos

Banu is accused of colluding to divert funds during the tenure of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, from May 2011 to May 2019, when he served as the commissioner for finance. Initially scheduled to be arraigned alongside former Governor Abdulfatah on February 23, 2024, Banu failed to appear in court, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant against him.

During the court proceedings on April 29, 2024, Banu appeared with legal representation. The court vacated the bench warrant and ordered him to enter the dock to take his plea. He pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge brought against him and the former governor by the EFCC.

Banu’s counsel requested bail on liberal terms, citing his client’s medical conditions. The prosecution did not oppose bail, and Justice Anyadike granted bail in the sum of ₦20 million Naira with stringent conditions, including the deposit of ₦5 million Naira into the court’s litigation account and surrendering his passport.

The case was adjourned to June 25 and 26, 2024, for trial.

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