Protest Rocks Ilorin EFCC Office As Ex-Kwara Gov Ahmed’s Detention Enters Third Day

A protest broke out on Wednesday at the Ilorin Zonal Command office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, regarding the prolonged detention of Abdulfatah Ahmed, a former governor of Kwara State.

Osun Defender reports that Ahmed’s detention at the EFCC Ilorin office entered a third day on Wednesday.

The protest by Ahmed’s supporters on Wednesday began in the morning and concluded around 12:23 pm following an address by an EFCC official named Michael Nzekwe to the demonstrators.

Osun Defender reports that the EFCC is grilling him over alleged N10bn misappropriation.

Ahmed reported on Monday morning at the Ilorin zonal office of the EFCC and was not allowed to return home.

His Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, confirmed his visit to the EFCC office on Monday.

“Dr Ahmed’s visit to the EFCC is procedural and routine. He was invited, and he honoured them as he’s always done. He’s always ready to respond to any query or question regarding his tenure as a governor of the state.”

Oba confirmed on Tuesday night that his principal was still in EFCC custody.

“Yes, he is still with the EFCC, and we are now in a dilemma over the issue because they keep changing the goalpost during the match. The case is taking on a new dimension, which we don’t understand for now.

“Initially, they said they wanted him to produce two sureties who are federal directors. The sureties came and were asked to provide landed properties in Abuja. We see this as a contradiction. The case was initially handled by the EFCC office in Abuja before it was transferred to Ilorin over the issue of jurisdiction. Additionally, he has been denied access to his doctors, medication, and direct access to his cook,” Oba said.

A credible source in the anti-graft agency also confirmed that Ahmed remained in custody as of Tuesday night, but could not disclose findings from the interrogations carried out so far.

“He’s there. The interrogation still continues. He’s spending the night,” the source said.

He charged the EFCC to follow due process and be seen to be transparent in their handling of the case as the former Governor has never defaulted in all previous invitations extended to him by the commission.

A credible source in the anti-graft agency told one correspondent that Ahmed remained in custody as of Tuesday night.

Multiple sources in the EFCC said that the anti-graft agency was conducting preliminary investigations into transactions amounting to N10bn, during the tenure of the ex-governor.

The funds, they said, were in connection with some projects executed in the state during Ahmed’s tenure.

“It is a preliminary investigation, so it is too early to say that this is what happened to the money. Investigations are still ongoing, so it is when investigations have been concluded that one can say this is exactly what happened to the money. But for now, it is just preliminary investigation,” one of the sources said.

Ahmed was governor of Kwara State between 2011 and 2019.

In 2021, a team of EFCC operatives questioned Ahmed at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in the Jabi area of Abuja, concerning an alleged diversion of funds, amounting to N9bn, from the coffers of the Kwara State government.