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Accused Ex-Governor Ishaku
By EDITH NWAPI
A prosecution witness, Mr Emmanuel Onwuzunike, told an Abuja court that he disbursed money as instructed by Bello Yeto, a former Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba.
Onwuzunike, is a witness in the trial former governor of Taraba, Darius Ishaku and Yero.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Ishaku and Yero with criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27billion.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
At the resumed hearing in the matter, when asked by the first defendant’s counsel Eko Ejembi Eko, SAN what he did with all the money he received.
The witness said that all the money he received and withdrew were on the instructions of his Oga (2nd defendant).
“It depended on my Oga’s instructions.”
The witness had earlier during his evidence in -chief told the court how several transactions and disbursements were done through his accounts.
He said between 2017 to 2020, he received over N250 million into his Access and Zenith bank accounts.
He added that the transactions were mainly to P3 Cornerstone Ltd owned by Taiwo Jones and to Jones himself.
“I did several transactions back to P3 Cornerstone Ltd and Taiwo Jones.
When asked if he took a loan from one Nkoli Perpetual, he said he cannot remember.
“I cannot remember any several transactions with Nkoli, and several loans which were repaid.”
He told the court that on Nov. 10, 2017 he received almost N50 million, he withdrew N40 million leaving N5. 2 million which was disbursed on the 2nd defendant ‘s instructions.
When asked what he did with over NI million which remained after he withdrew N 51 million on October 26, 2018, he said he acted at the instructions of the 2nd defendant.
After the 1st defendant counsel told the court that he was done with his cross examination, Adeola Adedipe, SAN counsel for the second defendant asked for a clear date for his cross examination.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, adjourned until April 28, at the instance of Adedipe. (NAN)
