By: Joy Musa
The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has issued a landmark ruling in a case of financial misappropriation involving Kayode Oyin-Zubair, a former Special Assistant on Community Intervention to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Loading ...Justice Haleema Saleeman, presiding over the matter, granted the final forfeiture of two tractors and two tricycles linked to the unlawful diversion of public funds. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, July 24, followed a comprehensive investigation by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to EFCC findings, Oyin-Zubair had accessed a N192 million fund from the Self Reliance Economic Advancement Programme (SEAP), earmarked for procuring 100 tricycles and 100 mini-buses intended to support transport unions across the state. However, investigators uncovered a diversion of N72 million in repayments from scheme beneficiaries, which was allegedly used to purchase the vehicles in the aide’s name.
The EFCC, represented by counsel Mustapha Kaigama, presented irrefutable evidence including financial records and witness testimony linking the seized assets directly to the misappropriated funds. Despite attempts by Oyin-Zubair’s legal team to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order, Justice Saleeman dismissed the application and ruled that the vehicles were proceeds of unlawful activity.
The recovered tractors and tricycles, valued at approximately N57.4 million, were discovered stored in a private warehouse along Fate Road in Ilorin. The judge ordered that the assets be permanently forfeited to SEAP, marking a decisive end to the case.
This ruling underscores ongoing efforts by the EFCC to clamp down on public sector fraud and asset diversion, ensuring transparency and accountability in government-linked projects.
