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Fraud

Former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku and Aide on Trial for N27 Billion Public Fund Misuse

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ismail Lawal, a Personal Assistant to former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku, testified in court that he collected various allowances on Ishaku's behalf, including travel, domestic staff, vehicle maintenance, medical, security, and severance allowances, totaling N27 billion. Lawal, who was in EFCC custody for 40 days, revealed that he failed to meet the bail conditions given to him by the commission and was surprised to be named a prosecution witness. The trial, which began with 15 counts of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds, is ongoing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ismail Lawal, a Personal Assistant to Darius Ishaku, testified that he collected various allowances on Ishaku's behalf, including travel, domestic staff, vehicle maintenance, medical, security, and severance allowances.
  • Lawal admitted to paying money into Barrett Holdings' account a couple of times but claimed he did not know the company's directors or shareholders or the relationship between Ishaku and the company.
  • Lawal was in EFCC custody for 40 days due to failure to meet bail conditions and was surprised to be named a prosecution witness.
  • Ishaku and a former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, are charged with 15 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of N27 billion public funds.
  • Justice Slyvanius Oriji adjourned the case until September 30 for continuation of cross-examination of the prosecution witness (PW1).
  • Lawal collected much of the allowances on Ishaku's behalf but could not provide the total amount of the security allowance or the total amount of the allowances.

Statistics:

  • N27 billion: the total amount of public funds allegedly misused by Ishaku and Bello Yero.
  • 40 days: the duration of Ismail Lawal's detention in EFCC custody due to failure to meet bail conditions.
  • 15 counts: the number of charges against Ishaku and Bello Yero bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
  • 1 trial: the ongoing trial of Ishaku and Bello Yero for alleged misuse of public funds.

Sources:

  • "Abuja High Court Sittings" [An Abuja High Court ruling citing witness testimony]
  • [No explicit citations were provided in the original text; any details or quotes are derived directly from the narrative summary and key takeaways.]

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