Alleged N27bn Fraud : EFCC witness absolves ex-gov Ishaku of “transactions particulars”

A prosecution witness on Tuesday instructed an Abuja Excessive Courtroom that former governor of Taraba, Darius Ishaku’s title was not talked about in a “transaction particulars”.

The witness, Ismail Lawal, a former private assistant to Ishaku, gave the main points throughout cross-examination within the trial of the previous governor.

“The primary defendant’s ( Ishaku)’s title didn’t seem on the account assertion, however there was a transaction to Worthy Development Restricted.”

The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) is prosecuting the previous governor alongside Bello Yero, a former Everlasting Secretary of the state’s Bureau for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs .

They’re charged with 15-count cost, marked FCT/HC/CR/ 792/2024, bordering on prison breach of belief, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.

The previous governor and his co-defendant, nevertheless, pleaded not responsible.

The EFCC accused the defendants of prison breach of belief, conspiracy, and fraudulent conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.

The prosecution alleged that they diverted the cash from the contingency funds belonging to the state’s Bureau of Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs and sure native governments of the states into their non-public makes use of.

In Depend 15 of the cost, the EFCC alleged that the previous governor of diverted cash from the state coffers to his firm, Worthy Development Restricted which the witness talked about.

Being cross-examined by Ishaku’s counsel, Mr Eko Ejembi, SAN on switch for safety objective, the witness, famous that the transfers recorded in his pocket book submitted as Exhibit confirmed that some cash have been for safety functions.

When requested to undergo some pages within the pocket book, he stated there have been particulars of transfers to the DSS, NDLEA, Civil Defence, Everlasting Secretary, IGP, NASA, and SA Safety Southern Zone.

Responding to a query on whether or not the cash was for safety functions, he stated, “Some are for safety whereas some are additionally to different individuals,” referring to all the entries within the pocket book.

Justice Slyvanius Orij , at that time adjourned till Thursday for the continuation of the cross-examination of the witness.