A prosecution witness, Taiwo Jones, has told the FCT High Court in Maitama how Taraba State's Local Government subvention funds were sent into a company's account during former Governor Darius Ishaku's administration. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting former Governor Ishaku and Bello Yero, then-Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Taraba State, on charges of diverting N27 billion belonging to the state government and some local governments.
Mr. Jones, an assistant cashier with the state government, testified that he received approximately N600 million to N700 million from Gassol LG into P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited. He confirmed receiving money from other LGs in the state but did not total the full amount. The witness said the money was "part of local government subvention," but did not give further particulars of the subvention.
The witness detailed how he received funds into his company's account from 2019 to 2021. On 11 October 2019, Yorro LG sent N50 million into P3 Cornerstone Nigeria Limited's account, which he handed over to Messrs Yero and Lawal. The company received N58.5 million on 25 October 2019, and subsequently transferred it to Prince Onwuzurike.
Mr. Jones also confirmed that Gassol LG made two separate lodgements of over N64.9 million and N1.4 million to P3 Cornerstone. Ardo Kola LG transferred N55 million to the company's account on 28 November 2019, while Gassol LG transferred N62 million. Zing LG transferred N70 million and N11.3 million from Yorro LG, all into P3 Cornerstone's account.
The witness reported receiving the funds to Babagida Hassan, the then Director of Finance, who sometimes gave him instructions on what to do with the money. He also said he had never received any query for failing to deliver the funds sent into his company's account.
Mr. Jones' testimony shed light on how he received the money and disbursed it on instructions of Mr. Yero. He confirmed receiving N1.8 billion through his company's account on Mr. Yero's instruction for onward disbursements to others. The trial judge, Slyvanus Oriji, adjourned the matter till Tuesday (6 October) for continuation of trial.
The EFCC's prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, instructed the witness to examine a letter from United Bank for Africa (UBA) outlining local government fund transfers against the statement of account provided by P3 Cornerstone. The witness' narration showed that money transferred from the LGs was received in his company's account on the same dates.
Key points
- Former Governor Darius Ishaku and Bello Yero are being prosecuted for diverting N27 billion belonging to the state government and some local governments.
- A prosecution witness, Taiwo Jones, testified on how he received Taraba State local government funds into his company's account and disbursed the money on instructions of Mr. Yero.
- The trial has been adjourned till Tuesday (6 October) for continuation of trial.
