The Ishaku trial continued on Tuesday, with a prosecution witness alleging that officials channelled Taraba local government funds through his company’s account for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains. Former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku faces trial over an alleged N27 billion fraud.
Testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, third prosecution witness Taiwo Johns said officials made all payments into his company’s account on the instructions of senior officials in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. His company, P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited, received the funds.
How the Money Moved Through the Account
Johns, who is testifying alongside former Permanent Secretary Bello Yero, told the court he acted on directives from Yero, Director of Finance Babangida Hassan and Chief Cashier John Columba.
He said Donga Local Government transferred N30 million into the company’s account on July 1, 2019. He withdrew the money in cash the same day and handed it to Dare Lawal, following instructions from his superiors, he told the court.
The witness detailed several other transactions during his testimony. These included an N8 million payment from Donga Local Government, a N3 million manager’s cheque from Yorro Local Government, and multiple deposits from Gashaka, Zing, Gassol, Bali and Ardo Kola local government councils.
Johns said Gashaka, Donga and Zing local governments paid a combined N110 million into the company’s account on July 29, 2019. He said he later withdrew that sum in cash, and the former permanent secretary collected it.
Six Cashiers Made Additional Deposits, Witness Says
Johns further told the court that six local government cashiers made separate cash deposits totalling about N51.8 million on September 18, 2019. He said officials later transferred most of that money to the account of Blessed Springs Modern Communication.
Ishaku Seeks Permission for Medical Travel
Meanwhile, counsel to Ishaku, Chris Umar (SAN), applied for permission for the former governor to travel to Dubai for medical examination and surgery. The prosecution did not oppose the application, and Justice Oriji granted the request.
The judge adjourned the case until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of the third prosecution witness’s testimony. Ishaku and Yero have both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
