The corruption trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, suffered another setback on Monday after key prosecution witnesses failed to appear before the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two former officials over the alleged diversion of N5.78 billion belonging to the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which prosecutors claim was used to pay the salaries of state civil servants.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, EFCC counsel Adebisi Adeniyi informed the court that the commission’s next witnesses were unavoidably absent and requested an adjournment. The application was not opposed by the defence.

Earlier, the prosecution’s witness, Stanley Ujilibo, came under cross-examination by defence counsel. Responding to questions from Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), who represents Ahmed, Ujilibo said he could not confirm whether Ayoola Idowu, the civil servant whose petition triggered the EFCC investigation, benefited from the funds allegedly used for salary payments.

Under further cross-examination by Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), counsel to Banu, the witness admitted he could not identify any document showing that the former finance commissioner personally borrowed money from the SUBEB account.

Although Ujilibo referred to a letter written by Banu requesting the release of the state’s counterpart funds to SUBEB, he acknowledged that the document relating to the alleged borrowing was signed by another official and not by the second defendant.

Following the prosecution’s request, Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the matter to November 9 for the continuation of trial.