An EFCC witness has told an Abuja High Court that about N1.8 billion meant for Christmas grain purchases in Taraba was paid into his company account on the instruction of former Permanent Secretary Bello Yero during the trial of ex-Governor Darius Ishaku
EFCC Witness Alleges N1.8bn Christmas Grain Funds Passed Through Company Account in Ishaku Trial
Former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s ongoing corruption trial took another dramatic turn on Monday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that between N1.7 billion and N1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains in the state was transferred into his company’s account from a local government salary account.
The witness, Taiwo Johns, who testified as the third prosecution witness (PW3) before Justice S.C. Oriji, alleged that the funds were paid into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited, on the instructions of the second defendant, former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, alongside the bureau’s Director of Finance and Chief Cashier.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and the alleged diversion of N27 billion in public funds.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Johns told the court that every payment made into his company’s account followed directives from senior officials of the bureau.
“All the money paid to P3 Cornerstone was based on the directive of my boss, Alhaji Bello Yero, the permanent Secretary; Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance and John Columba, the Chief Cashier, my immediate boss,” he said.
According to the witness, funds were transferred into his company’s account on 69 occasions, all originating from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account.
He said the transactions contained serial numbers, dates, account details and beneficiary information, adding that the total amount transferred was “roughly about N1.7b to N1.8 billion.”
“On instruction of the Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance and John Columba, the Chief Cashier,” he said when asked who authorised the transfers.
Johns further testified that after receiving the funds, he notified the officials, who then instructed him either to transfer part of the money to another prosecution witness, identified as Mr. Prince (PW2), or withdraw the cash for collection.
“I reported back to them that some money entered my account, then they gave me further directives either to send it to Mr. Prince, that is PW2 or to withdraw some and after the withdrawal they came with Dare Lawal, PW1, he will confirm the money, and they will go with the money. Sometimes, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary will come and take it to the government house.”
When asked how he knew the money was taken to the Government House, the witness replied:
“Sometimes I will carry him, the second defendant and drop him at the government house with the money in a Ghana Must Go bag, drop him and then go.”
Johns also testified that the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account was ordinarily used for salaries, projects, revenue and other official expenditures.
He drew the court’s attention to a payment of N100 million made into his company’s account on December 24, 2018, saying the electronic payment description indicated it was for the purchase of assorted grains to be distributed during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Responding to questions on the transaction, the witness said:
“The last transaction is N100m, for the purchase of assorted grains for distribution during Christmas. Some of the money was withdrawn cash. My lord, you may wish to know that the account is a business account, I wait for instruction, so when the money came in, the N100 million was withdrawn by me all in cash, it was handed over to Dare Lawal by me.”
He also identified another payment of N30 million into the same account, maintaining that neither of the funds was used to procure grains.
Asked directly whether he purchased any grains with the money, Johns answered:
“No Sir.”
Following the testimony, Justice Oriji adjourned the case until July 14, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
