The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented its third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing trial of former Taraba State governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and a former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero. The witness, Taiwo Jones, an assistant cashier in the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, testified before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Ishaku and Yero are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.
According to Jones, officials of the Taraba State government sent funds into his two personal accounts during Ishaku's tenure. The funds were deposited into a pre-generated account opened during his mandatory one-year national service and another account. Jones informed the court that the rate of funds deposited into his personal accounts was lower than that of his company's account. He also stated that often, verbal directives were issued by Yero and other government officials, including the director of Finance, Babangida Hassan, and chief cashier, John Columba, on how to disburse the funds.
Jones told the court that his bosses in the Bureau sometimes sent money into his accounts, but some senders were unknown to him. He stated that there were instances where his bosses would send money to his account and give him instructions on what to do. The witness highlighted some deposits made into his personal accounts, including N7 million deposited by Abdullahi Yunusa on November 1, 2019. He added that he was instructed to pay N4 million to Prince Onwuzurike, N2 million to Musa, and N1 million to Yunusa A's account.
When asked to confirm if the money deposited into his personal accounts was from Taraba local governments, Jones answered in the negative, adding that he did not know who deposited it. The prosecution witness also informed the court that he did not know the source of the funds, but he followed the directives given to him by his bosses. The EFCC is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero for allegedly converting public funds to their personal use.
The case has been adjourned to October 21 for cross-examination of the PW3, following a request by the counsels for the defendants, with no objection from the prosecution. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the anti-corruption commission. Justice Sylvanus Oriji is presiding over the case at the High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The alleged N27 billion fraud is one of several cases against Ishaku and other former government officials in Taraba State. The EFCC has been investigating several cases of financial malfeasance in the state, including the mismanagement of public funds and corruption. The trial is expected to continue on October 21, with the defense counsel expected to cross-examine the PW3.
The case against Ishaku and Yero is one of several high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria. The EFCC has been working to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the country's public sector. The trial will continue on October 21.
Key points
- - EFCC witness Taiwo Jones testifies against former Taraba State governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary Bello Yero. - Jones alleges that officials of the Taraba State government deposited funds into his personal accounts during Ishaku's tenure. - The case has been adjourned to October 21 for cross-examination of the PW3.
