A PROSECUTION witness has given the Federal Capital Territory High Court a detailed account of how millions of naira received from Taraba local governments were withdrawn from a private company’s account and handed to government officials.
The third prosecution witness in the trial of former Taraba governor , Taiwo Johns, who is a former permanent secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, testified before Justice S.C. Oriji on Monday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Darius Ishaku and an official, Bello Yero, over an alleged N27 billion fraud.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, Johns said his company, P3 Cornerstone, received several payments from Taraba local governments which he subsequently reported to officials of the state’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
According to the witness, officials allegedly instructed him to withdraw some of the funds in cash or transfer portions to accounts designated by them.
One of the transactions, he told the court, occurred on October 11, 2019, when Yoro Local Government deposited N50 million into P3 Cornerstone’s account.
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Johns said he informed the permanent secretary about the payment and was instructed to withdraw the money.
He also testified about another N58.5 million transaction, which he said was reported to the permanent secretary and Babangida Hassan, then director of finance.
Millions withdrawn from LGA accounts
The witness also referred the court to Exhibit 11, which contained a N64.95 million cheque issued by Gassol Local Government on November 5, 2019.
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He said N1.45 million from the transaction was transferred to the emirate and traditional council account on the same day and was used for salaries, allowances and medical expenses of traditional rulers.
Johns further described transactions involving Ardo Kola and Gassol local governments.
He told the court that Ardo Kola issued a N55 million manager’s cheque on November 28, 2019, while Gassol Local Government paid N62 million into P3 Cornerstone’s account on the same day.
According to the witness, N50 million from the Gassol payment was withdrawn at a United Bank for Africa branch and allegedly handed to the permanent secretary.
He said another N5.6 million was transferred to a person identified as Prince, while the remaining funds were withdrawn and handed to the permanent secretary and Dare Lawal at the bank.
The witness said further payments were received from Gassol Local Government on December 2, 2019.
He identified two transactions of N17.38 million and N13.12 million and said he reported them to Director of Finance, one Hassan.
Johns testified that Hassan instructed him to withdraw the combined N30.49 million, which he said was subsequently handed to Hassan and Lawal.
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More transactions linked to Taraba LGAs
The witness continued his account by describing transactions involving P3 Cornerstone in 2020.
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He told the court that the company received N11.35 million, N75 million and N2.5 million on March 23, 2020.
A further N20.47 million was deposited into the company’s account on March 24, alongside another payment of N1.5 million.
Johns also testified about transactions recorded on September 14, 2020.
He said P3 Cornerstone received N39.99 million, while another N39.99 million came from Zing Local Government on the same day.
An additional N7.85 million was allegedly received from Yoro Local Government. According to the witness, the funds were subsequently withdrawn and handed to the permanent secretary, while some payments were transferred to Prince.
Johns told the court that he did not know the specific purposes for which the subventions were meant to be used.
Court admits additional documents
Following the testimony, EFCC counsel tendered additional documents which were admitted by the court and marked as Exhibits 13, 14 and 15.
The prosecution’s evidence is part of the EFCC’s case against Ishaku and Yero over the alleged diversion of public funds during Ishaku’s administration.
The defendants have not been convicted of the allegations, and the prosecution must establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until October 6, 2026, for continuation of Johns’ testimony.
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