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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, took a dramatic turn on Monday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that 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.
The witness, Taiwo Johns, the third prosecution witness (PW3), made the revelation before Justice S.C. Oriji in the ongoing trial of Ishaku and the former Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, who are facing a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and alleged diversion of N27 billion brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Led in evidence by 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.
“Sometimes, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary, would come and take the money to the Government House,” he testified.
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.
Johns also identified another payment of N30 million to his company, maintaining that it was not spent on purchasing grains.
When asked by the prosecution whether he bought any grains with the funds, the witness responded: “No, sir.”
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until July 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
