The ongoing trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and former Permanent Secretary of the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, continued on Monday with fresh testimony from the third prosecution witness, Taiwo Johns.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Johns told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that funds described as Federal Government subventions were transferred by local government councils into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone, before being withdrawn or transferred on instructions from government officials.
Testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji, the witness cited a number of transactions, including a N50 million payment from Yorro Local Government on October 11, 2019. He said the money was subsequently withdrawn and handed over to the then Permanent Secretary and Dare Lawal.
Johns also narrated transactions involving Gassol, Ardo Kola and Zing local governments, including withdrawals and transfers running into millions of naira. He told the court that some funds were handed over to officials, while portions were transferred to an individual identified as Prince.
The witness further said that he reported the transactions to officials of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and acted on instructions concerning the funds. He, however, told the court that he did not know the specific purpose for which the subventions were meant.
The prosecution tendered additional financial documents during the proceedings, which were admitted and marked as Exhibits 13, 14 and 15.
Ishaku and Yero are facing an alleged N27 billion fraud case being prosecuted by the EFCC. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the trial is ongoing. The matter was adjourned until October 6, 2026, for continuation of Johns’ evidence.
Leave a comment