On March 4, 2025, the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took decisive action against corruption in Nigeria’s education sector by arraigning six officials of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on charges of misappropriating N96 million in public funds. This high-profile case, detailed in an official EFCC press statement on X, outlines the agency’s ongoing commitment to eradicating economic and financial crimes, particularly within state institutions responsible for critical public services like education.
The Arraignment and Charges
The six defendants, Ahmed Husain Olarewaju, Director of Finance and Supply; Omole Omololu John, Controller of Finance and Accounts; Fatai Oyerinde, Coordinator of the Salary Unit; Mujeeb Ibrahim, Executive Officer of Account and Salary Schedule; Salami Temitope Bashir; and Dauda Aweda Quozim, both staff of the Salary Unit were brought before Justice Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. They face a four-count charge of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation, allegedly committed between September 2018 and June 2019, in violation of Section 315 of the Penal Code.
According to the EFCC’s statement, the officials are accused of dishonestly misusing Kwara SUBEB funds, totaling N96 million, which were held in an account (No: 0031236028) at Sterling Bank Plc. Specific charges include:
- Misappropriating N33,891,982.37 between September and December 2018, and N30,406,629.09 between January and June 2019, both sums forming part of Kwara SUBEB’s funds designated for educational purposes.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read, prompting prosecution counsel Andrew Akoja to request a trial date and remand, while defense counsel Abdullahi Lawal sought bail. Justice Akanbi ordered the defendants remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ilorin, with the trial adjourned until April 16, 2025.
Nigeria’s Education Sector
The Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board is a pivotal institution tasked with managing federal and state allocations for basic education under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) framework. Established to ensure access to quality education for Nigerian children, SUBEBs across states receive significant funding, often matched by state governments, to build schools, pay teachers, and provide educational materials. However, as this case demonstrates, vulnerabilities in financial oversight can lead to fund misappropriation, undermining educational outcomes and exacerbating Nigeria’s literacy and school enrollment challenges.
The EFCC’s action comes at a time when Nigeria faces mounting pressure to improve transparency and accountability in public institutions. The agency’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate, known for its rigorous enforcement of anti-corruption laws, has targeted financial crimes across sectors, including education, which is both a national priority and a frequent target for fraud due to its substantial budgetary allocations. The N96 million allegedly misappropriated represents a significant loss for Kwara State, where basic education funding is critical for addressing the state’s educational gaps, as highlighted in UBEC reports (web:1, ubec.gov.ng).
Implications for Public Financial Management
This case is part of a broader pattern of EFCC investigations into financial misconduct in Nigeria’s state-level institutions. Notably, in February 2025, the EFCC re-arraigned former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner Ademola Banu on charges of mismanaging N5.78 billion, including funds linked to Kwara SUBEB. A witness testimony during that case cleared Ahmed and Banu of diverting SUBEB funds, but it exposed systemic oversight issues within the board, providing context for the current charges against these six officials.
The allegations of criminal breach of trust under Section 315 of the Penal Code, a legal provision targeting public officials who misuse entrusted funds—signal the EFCC’s intensified focus on ensuring accountability in state education boards. This legal framework, distinguishes criminal breach of trust from civil breaches, emphasizing the severity of the officials’ alleged actions and their impact on public trust.
The EFCC’s trial, set for April 16, 2025, will test the agency’s ability to secure convictions and deter similar offenses. The outcome could set a precedent for prosecuting financial crimes in Nigeria’s state education boards, reinforcing the EFCC’s mandate to eradicate economic and financial crimes, as outlined in its mission.
