The FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday granted former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku permission to travel to Dubai for spine surgery. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting Ishaku on fraud charges, did not object to the travel application. Justice Slyvanus Oriji granted the application filed by Ishaku after his lawyer, Chris Umar, argued the motion filed on 13 July. The judge adjourned further hearing until 5 October and ordered the defendant to return to Nigeria before that date.
Background of the Case
Ishaku, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, faces charges alongside Bello Yero, the then-Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Taraba State. They are accused of diverting approximately N27 billion belonging to the Taraba State Government and various local government areas in the state.
Third Prosecution Witness Testifies
After the ruling, the third prosecution witness, Taiwo Jones, resumed his testimony. Jones, an assistant cashier at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, testified that his company, P3 Cornerstone Limited, received funds in tranches on the instructions of Bello Yero. He stated that three local government areas—Gashaka, Donga, and Zing—deposited a total of N110.5 million into the company's account on 29 July 2019. Gashaka deposited N35 million, Donga deposited N40.5 million, and Zing deposited N35 million. Jones said, "I withdrew the same amount, and the permanent secretary (Yero) came to the bank with Dare Lawal. They confirmed the money, and I handed it over to them."
Additional Deposits and Withdrawals
Jones further testified that Donga, Jalingo, Gashaka, and Yorro local government areas deposited various sums into his company's account, which he withdrew and gave to Yero. On 30 July 2019, Donga LGA deposited N30.5 million and another local government cashier deposited N29 million into P3 Cornerstone's account. Jones could not recall the name of that local government. He also stated that Gassol Local Government deposited N73 million and Bali Local Government deposited N50 million. Additionally, Blessed Springs Modern Communication deposited N4.4 million on 24 July 2019. Jones reported this to his superior, Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance, who instructed him on the account to transfer the money. The relationship between Blessed Springs Modern Communication and the case remains unclear, but the EFCC is expected to clarify it in subsequent hearings.
Manager's Cheque and Total Transfers
On 19 August 2019, Jones's company received a manager's cheque from Donga LGA for N79.05 million, but only N73 million was paid into the account. Gashaka LGA also transferred over N72.9 million. According to Jones, various local governments transferred over N575 million into his company's account, including N110 million from Blessed Springs Modern Communication. He stated that he handed the funds to Yero, who received the cash alongside Dare Lawal, the first prosecution witness.
Previous Witnesses
So far, three witnesses have testified in the case. The first witness, Dare Ismail Lawal, who worked for Ishaku's private business before serving as his personal assistant during his governorship, testified almost throughout last year, detailing how he received millions on behalf of Ishaku. The second witness, Prince Onwuzunike, who has a personal relationship with Yero, testified in February that he received money through his account and withdrew it based on Yero's directives.
