Alleged fraud: Court permits Darius Ishaku to travel abroad for medical treatment

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, permission to travel to Dubai for a medical check-up and surgery.

The approval was given on Tuesday by Justice Slyvanus Oriji following an application filed by Ishaku’s counsel, Chris Umar.

The prosecution did not oppose the request.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until October 5, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Ishaku is standing trial alongside Bello Yero, a former permanent secretary in the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The duo faces a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds. They have both pleaded not guilty.

Ishaku served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecution witness Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, continued his testimony.

He had earlier told the court that N1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains was diverted through his company’s account, allegedly on the directive of Yero.

On Tuesday, Johns further detailed how multiple local government areas—including Donga, Zing, Gassol, and Yorro—transferred funds to his company in 2019 for the same purpose.

According to the witness, a sum of N3 million received from Yorro LGA on July 22, 2019, was withdrawn and handed over to Yero, who allegedly took the money to the Government House.

He also testified that on July 24, 2019, his company received N4.4 million from Blessed Springs Modern Communication.

“I reported the transaction to my superior, the director of finance, who instructed me on where to transfer the funds, saying it was based on directives from above,” Johns told the court.

He added that on the same day, two separate transfers of N10 million each were made into his company’s account by an individual identified as Henrietta Meepatan.

Johns said he subsequently withdrew portions of the funds in cash based on instructions.

The trial is expected to resume in October following Ishaku’s medical trip.