Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku over an alleged N27 billion fraud continued on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, with a prosecution witness delivering explosive testimony on how funds meant for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains were allegedly diverted from local government councils into a private company account and withdrawn in cash. The third prosecution witness, Taiwo Johns, an assistant cashier in the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, testified before Justice S.C. Oriji that approximately N1.8 billion was transferred into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited, on the instructions of senior bureau officials. Ishaku is standing trial alongside the bureau's former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Johns told the court that all payments into his company's account were authorised by Yero, the Director of Finance Babangida Hassan, and the Chief Cashier John Columba. According to the witness, the funds were transferred into his account on 69 different occasions, all originating from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account. He explained that after receiving the funds, he would notify his superiors, 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.
Johns detailed numerous specific transactions during his testimony. He told the court that Donga Local Government transferred N30 million into the company's account on July 1, 2019, and that he was instructed by the Director of Finance to withdraw the money in cash on the same day and hand it over to Dare Lawal, who had earlier testified as the first prosecution witness. He further testified that Donga Local Government transferred another N8 million on July 3, 2019, while a manager's cheque of the same amount was credited to the account on July 5. The witness also recounted that Yorro Local Government paid N3 million into the account on July 22, 2019, which he withdrew the same day and handed over to the Permanent Secretary before driving him to the Government House.
In a dramatic revelation, the witness 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. However, he 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 testified. When asked by the prosecution whether he purchased any grains with the funds, the witness responded firmly: "No, sir".
The witness further narrated how funds were transported to the Government House. He testified that on some occasions, he would carry the second defendant and drop him at the Government House with the money packed in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. This testimony painted a vivid picture of how public funds intended for the welfare of citizens during the festive season were allegedly diverted through a private company and delivered in cash to the seat of government.
Johns also detailed other substantial transactions, including a combined N110 million transferred by Gashaka, Donga and Zing local governments on July 29, 2019, which he said was subsequently withdrawn in cash and collected by the former permanent secretary. Gassol and Bali local governments transferred N73 million and N40 million respectively on July 31, while Ardo Kola Local Government transferred N40 million on September 3, 2019. The witness further testified that six different local government cashiers made deposits totalling about N51.8 million on September 18, 2019, adding that most of the money was later transferred to the account of Blessed Springs Modern Communication based on directives from his superiors.
During the proceedings, counsel to Ishaku, Chris Umar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, applied for leave for his client to travel to Dubai for medical examination and surgery. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is prosecuting the case, did not oppose the application, following which Justice Oriji granted the request. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of the testimony of the third prosecution witness.
Ishaku and Yero have both pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the EFCC. The commission accused the duo of diverting the money 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. Ishaku served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023. The trial, which has attracted significant public attention, continues to unfold with detailed testimonies that shed light on the alleged diversion of public funds meant for the welfare of Taraba State citizens during the Christmas season.
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