The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, permission to travel to Dubai for a medical check-up and surgery.
Sylvanus Oriji, the presiding judge, granted the application on Tuesday after it was filed by Chris Umar, counsel to Ishaku, on behalf of the former governor.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
The judge adjourned the case until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
Ishaku and Bello Yero, former permanent secretary in the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are standing trial on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the conversion of public funds.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ishaku served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023.
On Monday, Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, appeared before the court and narrated how N1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains in the state was diverted through his company’s account.
The witness told the court that the money was paid into the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited, on the directive of Yero, his former boss and the second defendant.
He said the funds were transferred from Gassol LGA’s account to his company’s account in 69 transactions.
Johns’ Testimony Continues
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Johns continued his testimony.
The witness narrated how LGAs in the state transferred funds to his company’s account for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains.
Johns told the court that he received funds from Donga, Zing, Gassol, and Yorro LGAs in multiple transactions in July 2019.
He added that the N3 million credited to his company’s account by Yorro LGA on July 22, 2019, was withdrawn and handed over to Yero, who took it to the Government House.
“On July 24, 2019, Blessed Springs Modern Communication credited my account with N4.4 million,” he said.
“On that day, I reported to my superior, Babangida Hassan, the director of finance. On the same date, he gave an instruction on the account to which the money would be transferred, saying it was a directive from above.
“Also on July 24, 2019, there were two transfers of N10 million each into the P3 Cornerstone account. I reported this to my boss.
“The two N10 million payments were made into my account by the same person, Henrietta Meepatan. I withdrew N6 million, N5 million, and N1 million.”
