The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned six officials of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB before Justice Akanbi of the State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, for fraud.They are facing prosecution on a four-count charge of breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N96 million.The defendants are, Ahmed Husain Olarewaju, Director, Finance and Supply; Omole Omololu John, Controller, Finance and Accounts; Fatai Oyerinde, Coordinator, Salary Unit; Mujeeb Ibrahim, Executive Officer, Account and Salary Schedule; Salami Temitope Bashir and Dauda Aweda Quozim, who are staff of the Salary Unit in the Kwara SUBEB.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Ahmed Husain Olarewaju, Omole Omololu, Fatai Oyerinde, Mujeeb Ibrahim and Bashir Temitope Salami, between September 2018 and December 2018 at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, being public officers in the service of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) and in such capacity entrusted with a certain property to wit; the gross sum of N33,891,982.37 (Thirty-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Two Naira, Thirty-Seven Kobo) which sum formed part of the Kwara State SUBEB funds in account No: 0031236028 domiciled at Sterling Bank Plc, and you thereby committed the offence of criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.”

Another charge reads: “That you, Ahmed Husain Olarewaju, Omole Omololu, Fatai Oyerinde, Mujeeb Ibrahim and Bashir Temitope Salami, between January 2019 and June 2019 of Ilorin, within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, being public officers in the service of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and in such capacity entrusted with a certain property to wit: the gross sum of N30,406,629.09 (Thirty Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Nine Kobo) which sum formed part of the Kwara State SUBEB funds in account no: 0031236028 domiciled at Stealing Bank Plc, and you thereby Committed the offence of criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.”

They pleaded “not guilty”, when the charges were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, while counsel to the defendants, led by Abdullahi Lawal made oral bail applications to their clients.Justice Akanbi adjourned until Wednesday, April 16, 2025 for trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ilorin.

Businessman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, has dragged an Abuja based lady, Ms. Adaobi Alagwu before an Abuja Customary Court, over the paternity of a child given birth to by the respondent.

The plaintiff is specifically denying being the father of the said child referred to as “X” in the suit.At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Counsel to Ayeni, Silas Onu applied to withdraw the earlier suit on the grounds of improper service.

Following the striking out of the first suit, Onu informed the court that a fresh petition had been filed before the court based on the same subject and same properly served on the respondent.Respondent counsel, who confirmed receipt of service of the suit apologized to the court for the absence of the respondent in court.He further stated that the respondent is still within time to file her defence.

At this point, the court asked the respondent’s counsel whether he is denying that the sum paid by Dr. Ayeni to Adaobi family has not been refunded to the complainant.The lawyer, however, answered that the said money has been refunded but added they are yet to file their defense.Adjourning the matter, the court stressed that the respondent should serve all the process of their reply on the complainant and that parties should be in court at the next adjourned date for trial.The court subsequently adjourned till February 17 for hearing of the said suit.Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Dr. Ayeni, who attended the court session with his wife, said, “the matter is about one rabble rouser girl trying to malign me that she has a child for me. Initially, when I thought it was real, I took some responsible steps. But later I discovered that it was all a set up I therefore took immediate steps to reverse those steps.“The money I paid because of the child has been returned. I just want a clear record to make it convincingly and unambiguously clear that there is no connection between me and the lady. She’s a gold digger but this time, she has met with the wrong person.“That is why I brought her to court here so that matters are laid to rest once and for all.

“I have records of all the events, and we are ready to prove our case.”

Tension flared at the Anambra High Court, Awka, on Tuesday as lawyers representing various parties in the high-profile case of missing billionaire estate developer, Mr. Benjamin Ezemma, expressed frustration over the court’s failure to sit.

The lawyers, some of whom traveled from outside the state, lamented that they were not informed in advance about the presiding judge’s absence.

They criticized the situation, stating that they had spent scarce resources to attend the hearing only to be told at the last minute by the court clerk that the proceedings would not hold.

Ezemma, the Managing Director of Dubai Estate, Awka, has been missing since November 12, 2024, and his whereabouts remain unknown. His disappearance has fueled speculation and legal battles.In the case, Ozo Jeff Nweke, CEO of Mango and Lion Properties Ltd, was charged alongside others under Charge No: AWK/6c/2025, accused of allegedly kidnapping Ezemma.At the court premises, some leaders of Ezinano community, Awka, dismissed allegations linking Nweke to the case. They claimed that the accusations were part of a smear campaign orchestrated by a rival community engaged in a land dispute with them.

One community leader remarked, “This is pure mischief. They are using this case to tarnish the image of our illustrious son.”The absence of the court sitting has further fueled tensions surrounding the case, leaving all parties waiting for the next development.

(S) The Nigerian Lawyer