Witness Tells Court N1.8bn Meant for Christmas Grains Was Paid into Company Account in Ishaku’s Trial
Witness Tells Court N1.8bn Meant for Christmas Grains Was Paid into Company Account in Ishaku’s Trial
Witness Tells Court N1.8bn Meant for Christmas Grains Was Paid into Company Account in Ishaku’s Trial
The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and the former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, continued on Monday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that about N1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains was paid into his company’s account.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and the alleged diversion of N27 billion in public funds.
Testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Taiwo Johns, said the funds were transferred into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited, on the instructions of the second defendant, Bello Yero, alongside the Director of Finance and the Chief Cashier.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness told the court that his company received transfers from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account on 69 different occasions.
According to him, the total amount transferred ranged between N1.7 billion and N1.8 billion.
Johns testified that whenever money was credited to his company’s account, he would notify his superiors before receiving further instructions on how the funds should be handled.
He explained that he was directed either to transfer part of the money to another individual identified as Prince, the second prosecution witness, or withdraw the funds in cash for collection by designated officials.
The witness further alleged that, on several occasions, he personally transported Bello Yero with cash packed in “Ghana Must Go” bags to the Taraba State Government House.
He stated that the funds originated from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account, which was ordinarily used for salary payments, projects, revenue and other official transactions.
Johns also told the court that on December 24, 2018, his company received N100 million, with the payment description indicating it was meant for the purchase of assorted grains for distribution during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
However, he testified that the money was withdrawn entirely in cash and handed over to another individual, adding that no grains were purchased with the funds.
He also identified another payment of N30 million made into his company’s account, which he said was likewise not used for the procurement of Christmas grains.
When asked by the prosecution whether his company supplied any grains as stated in the payment narration, the witness replied in the negative.
Following the witness’s testimony, Justice Oriji adjourned the case until July 14, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Witness Tells Court N1.8bn Meant for Christmas Grains Was Paid into Company Account in Ishaku’s Trial
