Alleged Misuse Of Funds: Kwara PDP Commends Ilorin Federal High Court For Granting Bail To Ex-Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed

 Kwara state PDP has commended the Federal High Court, Ilorin  and the entire  judiciary in the country  for the decision  taken in respect of the  court case involving former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed  while describing the case in question as  politically motivated.

The party commended the Federal High Court for rejecting the alleged  attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to have ‘our esteemed former Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed kept behind bars  over trumped-up charges’.

 Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Ilorin Zonal Command, had filed charges against  the former governor and Hon   Ademola Banu , who served as Commissioner for Finance during his administration, over offences bordering  on alleged money laundering.

Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was arraigned on Friday morning, had pleaded not guilty to charges contained in the charging document.

Justice Evelyn  Ayandike , who presided over the court session,  had however granted bail to Alhaji  Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The  judge set the former governor’s bail at N50million and 2 sureties in like sum.

‘The sureties must submit three passport photographs each including the defendant. 

One of the sureties must be owner of landed property within Ilorin . 

The original title documents of the land must be submitted to the court registry. 

The sureties must swear to an affidavit before the court and must show evidence of payment of electricity bills in the last three months  to show that they are residents of Ilorin. 

The N50 million must be paid into the court litigation account in liquidity .

The 1st defendant must deposit his international passport with the court , if the passport is in the EFCC, custody, the EFCC should surrender it to the court.   

If the 1st defendant has reason to travel abroad, he shall apply formally to the court . If he is travelling for a medical trip, he must state the reasons for traveling and why  his medical condition cannot be treated in the country. 

The defendant shall remain in EFCC custody pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions’ Justice Evelyn  had submitted..

Kwara state PDP in a statement issued in Ilorin  by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara which was made available to  Team@orientactualmags.com on Saturday,  acknowledged the role of the  judiciary as the last hope of the common and oppressed man, noting that ‘the Federal High Court’s determination to reject EFCC’s impunity is an inspiration to the people of Kwara’. 

‘Notwithstanding, we wish to express our concern over the suspicious conduct of the EFCC, particularly the Ilorin zonal command which appears to have offered itself as a willing tool in the hands of the APC-led administration in Kwara state. It is our belief that an agency tasked with fighting corruption must be seen to show neutrality, integrity, and commitment to the principle of the Rule of Law.

The failure of EFCC to adhere to the    law of the land in keeping a personality like Maigida in custody for a week, even when he has a record of always honouring  their invitations, coupled with the sudden change of the N10 billion earlier reported to N1.6 billion in the charging document affirmed that EFCC is not fighting corruption but only conniving with the  Abdulrazaq- led APC Government in Kwara to fight major opposition figures in the state with a view to weakening the PDP structure’ the party submitted.

 The statement also alleged that PDP members in the state are being harassed, oppressed, and persecuted by the current administration in the state while submitting that the former governor and the party members will remain undaunted and not leave PDP for APC.

 ‘ For the record, so many PDP members and sympathizers especially those who are civil servants are being threatened with termination of appointments while some were posted to places far away from their families with others having their salaries stopped in order to force them to join the APC. 

 We wish to reiterate that no matter the persecution and intimidation, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and others will not join the APC’ the party said.

‘We extend our gratitude to all Kwarans and our party faithful who endured scorching weather and defied heavy security presence to show love and solidarity with Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed. The tenure of Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed (Sai Maigida) as Governor of Kwara was marked by transparency and accountability, as shown through the monthly publication of Kwara state’s allocation figures and financial records for public scrutiny.

The PDP  assures Kwara state people that former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and other members of our party  are ready to be held accountable for their stewardship at any time.   We are confident that justice will prevail, and Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed will be  eventually vindicated’ the statement added- Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you