An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Ismail Lawal, on Thursday told an Abuja High Court that he received monies from several Taraba State Government officials under the instructions of former Governor Darius Ishaku.
Ishaku, alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is facing a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds amounting to ₦27 billion.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During cross-examination by Yero’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), Lawal said he kept a detailed record of all transactions in a notebook, admitted as an exhibit, which he claimed was maintained solely between him and the former governor.
According to the witness, several government officials, including Chindo Audu, Galiya Godiya, Hazel Bala, Joel Gilenya, Taiwo Jones, and Emmanuel Efun, handed him cash on Ishaku’s instructions.
“They were giving me the money on the instructions of the governor to deliver to him.
” I do not know where the money they were giving me was coming from.” He said.
He further stated that one Jacklyn opened a Zenith Bank account in his name to facilitate the collection of the funds from Taraba officials.
When asked about an entry of ₦40 million in his notebook, Lawal reiterated that he could not identify its purpose, insisting he merely acted under the former governor’s directives.
Responding to Ishaku’s counsel, Eko Ejembi (SAN), Lawal noted that Taraba State had faced severe insecurity and insurgency challenges, but denied knowing whether Ishaku’s annual security vote exceeded ₦1 billion.
He also denied ownership of two Access Bank accounts allegedly opened in his name, saying:
“The Access Bank accounts are not known to me. Yes, my name is Ismail Oluwadamilare Lawal but I don’t know about the accounts.”
Lawal confirmed that the EFCC investigated him in 2020 and used his Zenith Bank accounts as part of the probe.
However, he said he could not recall if any property at Brains and Hammers Estate was linked to the investigation, as mentioned in count 14 of the charge.
Ejembi sought to tender a Federal High Court judgment relating to the immunity of the former governor in connection with the said property, but prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) objected to its admissibility.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji ruled against admitting the judgment, noting that it lacked sufficient connection to the witness or the ongoing case.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 8 for continuation of hearing.