Over N250m passed through my accounts on ex-perm sec’s directive, witness tells court
Over N250m passed through my accounts on ex-perm sec’s directive, witness tells court
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal Capital Territory high court how he received and disbursed funds strictly on the instructions of Bello Yero, former Taraba state permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs.
Onwuzunike is testifying in the trial of Darius Ishaku, former Taraba governor, and Yero.
Both men, arraigned in September 2024, are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During cross-examination at the resumed trial on Wednesday, Ejembi Eko, counsel to Ishaku, asked the witness what he did with monies that passed through his accounts.
In response, Onwuzunike said he acted based on directives from the second defendant.
“It depended on my Oga’s instructions,” the witness said.
Earlier in his evidence-in-chief, the witness narrated how multiple transactions were routed through his Access Bank and Zenith Bank accounts.
He told the court that between 2017 and 2020, over N250 million was paid into the accounts. According to him, most of the transfers were made to P3 Cornerstone Ltd, a company he said is owned by Taiwo Jones, as well as directly linked to Jones.
“I did several transactions back to P3 Cornerstone Ltd and Taiwo Jones,” he said.
When asked whether he obtained a loan from one Nkoli Perpetual, the witness said he could not recall.
“I cannot remember any transaction with Nkoli, and several loans which were repaid,” he said.
Onwuzunike told the court that on November 10, 2017, he received about N50 million, withdrew N40 million and left a balance of N5.2 million, which he disbursed based on the second defendant’s directive.
He also said that after withdrawing N51 million on October 26, 2018, he acted on Yero’s instruction regarding the balance of over N1 million left in the account.
After Eko concluded his cross-examination, Adeola Adedipe, counsel to Yero, requested a date to continue his cross-examination of the witness.
Sylvanus Oriji, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter to April 28 for continuation.
