A prosecution witness, Emmanuel Onwuzunike, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he disbursed funds strictly on the instructions of a former Permanent Secretary in Taraba State’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yeto.
Onwuzunike is testifying in the ongoing trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku and Yeto. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the defendants with criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds amounting to ₦27 billion. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
During cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Eko Ejembi Eko (SAN), Onwuzunike was asked what he did with the monies that passed through his accounts.
“All the money I received and withdrew was based on my oga’s instructions,” the witness replied.
In his earlier evidence-in-chief, Onwuzunike recounted how multiple transactions were conducted through his Access Bank and Zenith Bank accounts. He told the court that between 2017 and 2020, over ₦250 million was paid into the accounts.
According to him, most of the transactions were made to P3 Cornerstone Limited, a company allegedly linked to Taiwo Jones, as well as to Jones personally.
“I carried out several transactions back to P3 Cornerstone Limited and Taiwo Jones,” he said.
When questioned about a possible loan transaction involving Nkoli Perpetual, the witness said he could not recall.
“I cannot remember any transactions with Nkoli, though there were several loans that were repaid,” Onwuzunike stated.
He further testified that on November 10, 2017, he received nearly ₦50 million, withdrew ₦40 million, and disbursed the remaining ₦5.2 million based on Yeto’s directives.
Similarly, he said that after withdrawing ₦51 million on October 26, 2018, the balance of over ₦1 million was also disbursed following the second defendant’s instructions.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, counsel to the second defendant, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), requested an adjournment for his own cross-examination.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted the request and adjourned the case until April 28.
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