Alleged N27bn fraud: Court told how funds from LGAs, others were handed to ex-Taraba governor’s aide
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on Monday heard details of how funds from companies, individuals, and local government areas in Taraba State were allegedly
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on Monday heard details of how funds from companies, individuals, and local government areas in Taraba State were allegedly transferred to a former aide of ex-Governor Darius Ishaku.
Prosecution witness Emmanuel Onwuzurike testified at the ongoing trial of Ishaku and Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who are facing a 15-count charge filed by the EFCC (FCT/HC/CR/792/2024) over criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and illegal conversion of public funds totaling N27 billion.
Under examination by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Onwuzurike said he received millions of naira from Gashaka and Yorro local government areas and the firm P3 Cornerstone. He added that the funds were sent to him by Taiwo Jones and John Columba between 2017 and 2019 through his Zenith Bank account.
Advertisement
300x250
The witness further explained that he withdrew the cash and handed it over to Ismail Lawal, who served as Ishaku’s personal assistant while he was in office.
Onwuzurike, who has been testifying since December, also provided additional accounts of multiple payments received from various Taraba State LGAs between 2015 and 2019.
Read Also: NGO urges creation of separate courts for land disputes
The witness said, “I received N4million from Taiwo Jones on November 6, 2017; N10million, N9 million, N9million, N9million and N4.3 million on November 10, 2017. It was withdrawn in cash and given to Ismail Lawal.”
Onwuzurike said on February 6, 2018, he received two credit entries, amounting to N14million from P3 Cornerstone and N6.6million from Jones.
Advertisement
300x250
According to him, he withdrew over N20million and handed it to Lawal, adding that there were similar entries and withdrawals in April, May, September, and November 2018.
He added that he received N16million from Columba and N10.7million from Jones. On April 4, 2019 and withdrew over N50million, which he equally handed to Lawal.
There were also other entries from P3 Cornerstone in April 2019, then in July 2019, the witness said he received N25 million from Gashaka LGA and N28.5million from Yorro LGA.
Onwuzurike said he received lesser sums from Jones in 2016, adding, “The small sums were sent to me to buy things for the message he (Jones) sent me.”
Further hearing resumes in the case on Tuesday before Justice Sylva Oriji.
