RismadarVoice Reporters, April 30, 2026
The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and a former Permanent Secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, continued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting additional evidence.
The defendants are facing a 15-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion.
At the resumed hearing before Justice S. C. Oriji, the prosecution presented its third witness (PW3), Taiwo Johns, following the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Prince Emmanuel Onwuzulike.
During cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, Samuel Fagade, PW2 told the court that he shared a close relationship with Yero and acted on his instructions. He disclosed that Yero directed him via phone to disburse funds to one Lawal Damilare.
PW2 further admitted that he did not report the transactions to any law enforcement agency and confirmed receiving funds from PW3, some of which he said were used for personal business. “Everything I did was on instruction,” he told the court.
In his testimony, PW3, led in evidence by prosecution counsel O. A. Atolagbe, explained that his responsibilities included preparing payment schedules, assisting with payroll, issuing cheques, and accompanying the cashier to the bank.
He told the court that the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs oversees financial obligations for the state’s 16 local government areas, including payment of salaries, allowances for traditional rulers, and other administrative and welfare-related expenditures.
PW3 also confirmed that he participated in disbursing funds when required, stating that payments were sometimes made to local government chairmen or the ALGON chairman, identified as Agya.
According to him, the funds were disbursed from an account known as the “2.5 Per cent Contingency Account,” domiciled with United Bank for Africa (UBA), with the Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, and Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan, listed as signatories.
Justice Oriji adjourned the matter until April 30, 2026, for the continuation of the examination of PW3.
