A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday heard damning testimony against former Taraba State Governor, Senator Darius Ishaku, as the first prosecution witness narrated how he collected and disbursed billions of naira on the ex-governor’s instructions.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Dele Oyewale, on September 30, 2025.

The statement reads partly:“The First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Ismail Lawal in the trial of a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, narrated before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, presided over by Justice S.C. Oriji how he took delivery of money in cash and in transfers and disbursed them on the instruction of the former governor.”

“Ishaku, the first defendant, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside a former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27,000,000,000.00 (Twenty-Seven Billion Naira).”

“While under cross-examination by Ishaku’s counsel, P. H. Ogbole, SAN, the witness stated that ‘the instructions were verbal, but sometimes through text messages and sometimes through writing on paper.’”

“When asked if such money came from Taraba State Government House, he stated that ‘there is money collected from the liaison officer, Mr. Dauda, N10 million on December 13, 2020 in Abuja.’”

Lawal, who kept what he described as a personal record book between himself and “His Excellency”, testified that he collected various sums from state officials including the Director of Finance at Government House, Mr Emmanuel Ifun, and the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Bello Yero.

From December 2020 to February 2021 alone, the witness said he received more than ₦200 million in separate tranches ranging from ₦4 million to ₦50 million, adding that part of the funds was also transferred directly into his bank account.

“I kept the record and His Excellency verified it,” Lawal told the court, insisting every transaction was documented in his notebook.

Justice S.C. Oriji adjourned the matter to October 20 and November 4 and 6 for continuation of trial.