Witness reveals N1.8bn Taraba LG fund transferred into private firm account

A prosecution witness has told an Abuja High Court that about N1.8 billion belonging to local government councils in Taraba State was transferred into his private company’s account during the administration of Darius Ishaku former Governor.

Taiwo Jones, an Assistant Cashier with the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the disclosure while testifying in the ongoing trial of Ishaku and a former Permanent Secretary of the bureau, Bello Yero.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero over alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Jones told the court that he received 69 separate transfers from Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba into his company account.

Asked to estimate the total value of the transactions, he said the funds amounted to “about N1.7 to N1.8 billion.”

Jones said the transfers were made based on instructions from Yero and the Director of Finance at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

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“I inform them when the money hits my account, and they give me further directives to send it to Prince in Abuja or withdraw some,” the witness told the court.

He added that after withdrawing the funds, he handed them over to Dare Lawal, another prosecution witness, and others for confirmation.

When Justice Sylvanus Oriji asked who the other individuals were, Jones identified them as the Permanent Secretary, Yero, the driver and Lawal.

The witness further told the court that Yero sometimes moved cash to the Taraba Government House.

“I know this because I sometimes drive the Permanent Secretary to the Government House with the money inside Ghana-must-go bags,” he said.

During the proceedings, Jacobs referred the witness to a N100 million transaction paid into P3 Cornerstone’s account through an e-payment advice dated December 24, 2018.

Jones said the transaction was prepared by the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and authorised by two signatories.

According to him, the payment narration indicated that the funds were meant for the purchase of assorted grains for distribution during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

However, he told the court that the money was not used for the stated purpose.

“The money was not spent on buying assorted grains. Instead, I withdrew the money and handed it over to Lawal,” he said.

Jones also disclosed that he received N30 million from the salary transmission account of Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Justice Oriji adjourned further hearing in the matter until Tuesday.