EFCC Presents More Witnesses Against Former…

The trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, resumed on Tuesday before Justice SC Oriji of the FCT High Court, Abuja, with the EFCC presenting its third prosecution witness.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting both men on 15 counts of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds amounting to $27 billion.

Taiwo Johns, PW3, began his testimony after cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, Prince Emmanuel Onwuzulike, by the second defendant’s lawyer, Samuel Fagade.

During cross-examination, PW2 told the court that he had a “father and son relationship” with Yero and said that Yero had directed him to disburse funds to one Lawal Damilare.

PW2 also said that he had received money from Johns, a cashier of the Bureau, and had used some of it for personal business. “The sum of N3 million deposited is for my business; the sum of N2 million deposited is for my business; the sum of N10 million, dated November 4, is for my business,” he said. He added: “Everything I did was on instruction.”

Adduced in evidence by prosecuting lawyer OA Atolagbe, PW3 stated that his duties included collecting vouchers and payment schedules, preparing staff payslips, writing salary checks and accompanying the cashier to banks for cash withdrawals.

Other duties, he said, involved “paying emirs and ‘ardos’, disbursing cash if there is a courtesy call, and any other duties assigned to me” by chief cashier John Columba, director of finance Babangida Hassan and permanent secretary Bello Yero.

Because I anointed Engr Gubio as my successor: Governor Zulum

PW3 told the court that the Office manages the affairs of Taraba’s 16 local governments, including paying salaries and allowances to emirs and chiefs, purchasing vehicles for them, covering medical needs, paying teachers, assisting flood victims and supporting security in local chiefdoms.

He confirmed that he participated in the disbursement of money, sometimes handing it over to the president of ALGON or the presidents of local governments “depending on where the case arises.” He identified the ALGON president as Agya.

The funds, he said, were disbursed from the “2.5% Contingency Account” domiciled at the United Bank of Africa, UBA. The signatories of the bill are Permanent Secretary Bello Yero and Director of Finance Babangida Hassan.

Justice Oriji adjourned the matter to April 30 for continuation of examination of PW3.

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