Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing ₦27 billion fraud trial involving former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, as a prosecution witness told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that huge sums of cash were allegedly transported to the Government House in ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags.
The witness, Taiwo Johns, gave the testimony on Monday while appearing before Justice S.C. Oriji as the third prosecution witness in the trial of Ishaku and a former Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the duo on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and the alleged diversion of ₦27 billion in public funds. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
While being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Johns alleged that between ₦1.7 billion and ₦1.8 billion was transferred into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited, on the instructions of senior government officials.
According to him, the funds were received through multiple transactions from the Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account and were subsequently withdrawn in cash or transferred based on directives allegedly issued by top officials.
He claimed that after withdrawing the money, it was handed over to designated persons, adding that on several occasions, the former Permanent Secretary personally conveyed the cash to the Government House.
“Sometimes, I would carry him, the second defendant, and drop him at the Government House with the money in a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag before driving away,” the witness told the court.
Johns further testified that one of the transactions involved ₦100 million, allegedly approved on December 24, 2018, for the purchase of assorted grains to be distributed during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
However, when asked by the prosecution whether the grains were ever purchased, the witness responded in the negative, “No, sir,” he told the court.
He also identified another ₦30 million payment made into his company’s account during the proceedings.
Following the testimony, Justice Oriji adjourned the matter until July 14, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
The allegations remain the prosecution’s claims, and the court is yet to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants.
Credit: Naija News except headline
