EFCC witness has detailed how Ex-Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku allegedly directed cash withdrawals and transfers in N27bn fraud trial.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, continued on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, with the first prosecution witness, Ismail Lawal, giving detailed testimony on how he allegedly received and disbursed huge sums of money on the former governor’s instructions.
Ishaku, alongside former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, is standing trial on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and diversion of public funds amounting to ₦27 billion. The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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Under cross-examination by Ishaku’s counsel, P.H. Ogbole (SAN), Lawal explained that the directives from the former governor often came verbally, but at times through text messages or written notes.
According to him, several transactions were carried out between 2020 and 2022, including:
₦10 million collected from Mr. Dauda, a government liaison officer, on December 13, 2020.
₦7 million from Emmanuel Ifun, Director of Finance, Government House, on December 11, 2020.
₦50 million from the Permanent Secretary on December 20, 2020.
₦30 million and ₦15 million on January 12, 2021, from the Permanent Secretary and liaison officer respectively.
₦20 million on January 27, 2021, and ₦4 million on January 30, 2021, from Ifun.
Multiple collections in February 2021, including ₦20 million, ₦6.5 million, ₦14 million, and ₦30 million (from Zenith Bank).
Two separate amounts of ₦10 million and ₦13 million collected on January 1, 2022.
Lawal told the court that he meticulously recorded all the cash collections in a personal notebook, stressing that “this record is strictly between me and His Excellency. Any money I received I recorded it here, and His Excellency verified it.”
Justice S.C. Oriji adjourned further hearing to October 20, November 4, and November 6, 2025, for continuation of trial.
