How Taraba LG funds for Christmas grains were withdrawn in cash — witness

The trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku over an alleged N27 billion fraud continued on Tuesday, with a prosecution witness detailing how funds meant for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains were allegedly transferred from local government councils into a private company’s account and withdrawn in cash.

The third prosecution witness (PW3), Taiwo Johns, testified before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, that the transfers into the account of P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited were carried out on the instructions of senior officials in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Ishaku is standing trial alongside the bureau’s former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero.

Johns told the court that every payment into the company’s account was authorised by Yero, the Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan, and the bureau’s Chief Cashier, John Columba.

He testified that Donga Local Government transferred N30 million into the company’s account on July 1, 2019, after which he was instructed to withdraw the money in cash and hand it over.

According to him, another N8 million was received from Donga Local Government on July 3, while a manager’s cheque of the same amount was credited to the account on July 5.

He further stated that Yorro Local Government paid N3 million into the account on July 22, 2019, adding that he withdrew the money the same day and handed it to the Permanent Secretary before driving him to the Government House.

The witness also narrated several other transactions involving different local government councils.

He said Gashaka, Donga and Zing local governments transferred a combined N110 million into the account on July 29, 2019, while Gassol and Bali local governments transferred N73 million and N40 million, respectively, on July 31.

Johns further testified that Ardo Kola Local Government transferred N40 million on September 3, 2019, while six different local government cashiers made deposits totalling about N51.8 million on September 18, 2019.

He alleged that most of the funds were subsequently transferred to the account of Blessed Springs Modern Communication based on directives from his superiors.

During the proceedings, counsel to Ishaku, Chris Umar (SAN), applied for leave for his client to travel to Dubai for medical examination and surgery.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the application, following which Justice Oriji granted the request.

The court adjourned the matter until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of the testimony of the third prosecution witness.