Trial of Former Taraba State Governor Continues Amid Allegations of Fraud
ABUJA — The ongoing trial of Darius Dickson Ishaku, former Governor of Taraba State, is unfolding at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. Ishaku faces allegations tied to a staggering N27 billion fraud scheme that purportedly involved the misappropriation of funds intended for purchasing and distributing Christmas grains. Testimonies from prosecution witnesses are shedding light on how financial resources from various local government councils were allegedly diverted through companies linked to the former governor.
Witness Testifies to Fund Transfers
Taiwo Johns, serving as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the case, provided detailed accounts before Justice SC Origi. He testified that transfers to his company, P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited, were executed under the directives of high-ranking officials within the Taraba State Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Department. The alleged instructions originated from several key figures, including the department’s former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, and Finance Director, Babangida Hassan.
Alleged Instructions from Government Officials
According to Johns, the financial operations were tightly controlled by his superiors. “All monies paid to P3 Cornerstone were based on the instructions of my boss, Permanent Secretary Alhaji Bello Yero, Finance Director Babangida Hassan, and my immediate boss, Treasurer John Columba,” he stated during his testimony.
Details of Transactions Revealed
Johns recounted a sequence of transactions implicating funds transferred from multiple local councils to his company’s accounts, highlighting the intricate web of financial activities. For instance, he mentioned that Toa Local Government transferred N30 million to the company on July 1, 2019, from which he was directed by Finance Director Babangida Hassan to withdraw the entire sum in cash.
Further Testimony on Additional Transfers
Continuing to provide evidence, Johns noted that Toa Local Government later deposited an additional N8 million, while Yoro Local Government contributed N3 million to the same account. He acknowledged withdrawing these amounts, which were then delivered to the Permanent Secretary before being transported to the Government House.
Additional Local Government Assemblies Involved
Johns also disclosed that two separate transactions of NOK 10 million each were deposited into P3 Cornerstone’s account on July 24, 2019. Following standard procedures, he withdrew these funds in cash as instructed by his superiors. Further claims indicated that combined transfers totaling N110 million were made by Gashaka, Donga, and Jin Local Government Assemblies.
Defense Requests Medical Travel Approval
As the proceedings continued, the defense attorney for the first defendant, Mr. Chris A. Umar (SAN), sought permission for Ishaku to travel to Dubai for medical examinations and potential surgery. The prosecution did not object to this request, and Judge Origi subsequently approved it, adjourning the case until October 5, 2026, for further witness questioning.
