The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and a former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, resumed on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, with fresh testimony from a prosecution witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the duo on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and alleged diversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion.
At the resumed hearing before Justice S. C. Oriji, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Taiwo Johns, gave detailed testimony on the financial operations within the Bureau, where he served as a cashier assistant.
His appearance followed the conclusion of cross-examination of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Prince Emmanuel Onwuzulike, who made startling disclosures under questioning by counsel to the second defendant, Samuel Fagade.
Onwuzulike told the court that he maintained a “father-and-son relationship” with Yero and acted on his instructions in disbursing funds. He revealed that Yero contacted him directly to release money to one Lawal Damilare.
The witness also admitted to personally benefiting from some of the funds he handled and confirmed that he never reported the transactions to any law enforcement agency.
“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 stated.
Pressed further during cross-examination, Onwuzulike insisted that his actions were not independent. “Everything I did was on instruction,” he told the court.
Taking the stand, PW3, led in evidence by prosecution counsel O. A. Atolagbe, outlined his responsibilities within the Bureau.
He said his duties included preparing daily vouchers, raising payment schedules, assisting in payroll preparation, writing payroll cheques, and accompanying the cashier to the bank.
He added that he was also involved in disbursing cash for official purposes, including payments to traditional rulers such as emirs and ardos, as well as other assignments directed by senior officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero.
According to Johns, the Bureau was responsible for managing financial affairs across the 16 local government areas in Taraba State. These duties, he said, ranged from salary payments to traditional rulers and teachers, procurement of official vehicles, and addressing welfare and security needs within communities.
Payment of teachers’ salaries, assisting flood disaster victims if it arises, beefing up security in the communities and local governments’ chiefdoms and if there is any other thing pertaining to local government activities.
He further disclosed that funds were sometimes disbursed through the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman or local government chairmen, depending on the situation.
Significantly, the witness identified a key account allegedly used for such transactions.
“Yes, sometimes I give it to the ALGON Chairman, or a local government chairman, depending on where the case arises. The name of the ALGON chairman is Agya and further disclosed that the account name from which the money is disbursed is “2.5 Percent Contingency Account, domiciled in the United Bank of Africa, UBA.
He added that the signatories to the account are the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bello Yero, and the Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan,” he said.
Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the case until April 30, 2026, for continuation of the examination of the third prosecution witness.
Sahara Reporters
