Ex-Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku Gets Court Approval for Dubai Medical Trip Amid ₦1.8bn Diversion Trial

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, permission to travel to Dubai for medical treatment and surgery while standing trial over alleged financial crimes.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji approved the application on Tuesday after it was presented by Ishaku’s lawyer, Chris Umar. The prosecution did not oppose the request, prompting the court to grant the former governor leave to travel.

Following the ruling, Justice Oriji adjourned the case until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

Ishaku, who governed Taraba State from 2015 to 2023, is being tried alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The duo is facing a 15-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and diversion of public funds. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution’s witness, Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, continued his testimony before the court.

Johns reiterated his earlier claim that about ₦1.8 billion earmarked for the purchase of Christmas grains in Taraba State was allegedly diverted through the bank account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited.

According to the witness, the funds were paid into the company’s account on the instructions of Bello Yero. He told the court that the money was transferred from the account of Gassol Local Government Area in 69 separate transactions.

Johns further testified that several other local government councils, including Donga, Zing, Gassol and Yorro, also transferred funds into his company’s account in July 2019 for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains.

He alleged that ₦3 million paid into the company’s account by Yorro Local Government on July 22, 2019, was withdrawn and handed over to Yero, who reportedly took the cash to the Government House.

The witness also revealed that on July 24, 2019, Blessed Springs Modern Communication transferred ₦4.4 million into the company’s account. He said he informed the Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan, who allegedly instructed him where to transfer the money, claiming the directive came “from above.”

Johns further told the court that two additional transfers of ₦10 million each were made into the company’s account on the same day by one Henrietta Meepatan. Acting on instructions, he said he later withdrew ₦6 million, ₦5 million and ₦1 million from the account.

The trial is scheduled to resume on October 5, 2026.

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