The Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, permission to travel to Dubai for medical check-up and surgery.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted the application on Tuesday after it was moved by Ishaku’s counsel, Chris Umar, on behalf of the former governor.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
Following the ruling, the court adjourned the matter to October 5, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Ishaku, who served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023, is standing trial alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
They are facing a 15-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed proceedings, Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, continued his testimony before the court.
Johns had earlier told the court that ₦1.8 billion allegedly meant for the purchase of Christmas grains in Taraba State was diverted through the account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited.
He said the money was paid into his company’s account on the directive of Yero, his former boss and the second defendant.
According to the witness, the funds were transferred from the account of Gassol Local Government Area to his company’s account in 69 transactions.
Continuing his testimony on Tuesday, Johns said local government areas in the state also transferred funds to his company’s account for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains.
He told the court that he received funds from Donga, Zing, Gassol and Yorro Local Government Areas in multiple transactions in July 2019.
The witness said ₦3 million credited to his company’s account by Yorro LGA on July 22, 2019, was withdrawn and handed over to Yero, who allegedly took it to Government House.
Johns also testified that on July 24, 2019, Blessed Springs Modern Communication credited his account with ₦4.4 million.
He said he reported the payment to his superior, Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance, who allegedly instructed him on where the money should be transferred, saying the directive was “from above.”
The witness further told the court that on the same day, two separate transfers of ₦10 million each were made into the P3 Cornerstone account by one Henrietta Meepatan.
He said he reported the payments to his boss and subsequently withdrew ₦6 million, ₦5 million and ₦1 million from the account.
The case will continue on October 5, 2026.