Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and a former Permanent Secretary in the state's Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, took a dramatic turn on Monday, 13 July 2026, as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja how about N1.8 billion earmarked for the purchase of Christmas grains in the state was diverted through his company's account and allegedly delivered in cash to the Government House in "Ghana Must Go" bags.
The witness, Taiwo Johns, an assistant cashier with the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the third prosecution witness (PW3), made the revelation before Justice S.C. Oriji in the ongoing trial of Ishaku and Yero. The duo are facing a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the alleged diversion of N27 billion in public funds brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Johns told the court that between N1.7 billion and N1.8 billion was paid into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited, on the instructions of Yero, the Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan, and the Chief Cashier, John Columba. "All the money paid to P3 Cornerstone was based on the directive of my boss, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary; Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance; and John Columba, the Chief Cashier," he told the court.
According to the witness, the funds were transferred into his company's account on 69 different occasions, all originating from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account. He said after receiving the funds, he would notify the officials, who would then instruct him either to transfer part of the money to another prosecution witness, identified as Prince, or withdraw the cash for collection. "I reported back to them that some money entered my account. They then gave me further directives either to send it to Mr. Prince (PW2) or withdraw some. After the withdrawal, they came with Dare Lawal (PW1), who would confirm the money, and they would leave with it," he testified.
Johns further revealed that some of the cash was delivered directly to the Government House. "Sometimes, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary, would come and take the money to the Government House," he said. When asked how he knew the money was taken to the Government House, Johns replied: "Sometimes I would carry the second defendant and drop him at the Government House with the money in a Ghana Must Go bag, drop him and then go."
The witness further testified that on December 24, 2018, N100 million was transferred into his company's account with the payment narration indicating it was for the purchase of assorted grains for distribution during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. He, however, told the court that the money was never used for that purpose. "The N100 million was withdrawn by me in cash and handed over to Dare Lawal," he said. When asked by the prosecution whether he bought any grains with the funds, the witness responded: "No, sir."
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until Tuesday, 14 July 2026, for the continuation of trial. The EFCC is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero for allegedly diverting N27 billion from the contingency funds belonging to the state's Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and certain local governments in the state for their private use. The trial continues to draw significant attention as it exposes the alleged systematic diversion of public funds meant for the welfare of Taraba's citizens.
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