Court Grants Ex-Taraba Gov Ishaku Permission To Travel Abroad For Surgery

According to Ireporter Online, Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted the application on Tuesday after counsel to the former governor, Chris Umar, presented the request before the court. The prosecution team did not object to the application, leading the judge to approve the medical trip.

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

Ishaku is currently facing trial alongside a former Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero. The duo are standing trial on a 15-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and unlawful conversion of public funds.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Ishaku served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023 before leaving office after completing his tenure.

During an earlier court session, a prosecution witness, Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alleged that about ₦1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains was transferred through the bank account of his company, P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited.

The witness told the court that the funds were allegedly paid into the company’s account on the instruction of Bello Yero, who was his superior at the time.

Johns alleged that the money was transferred from the account of Gassol Local Government Area through 69 separate transactions, while several other local government areas also made payments into the company’s account for the purchase and distribution of Christmas grains.

He mentioned Donga, Zing, Gassol and Yorro local government areas among those that allegedly made payments in July 2019.

The witness further stated that a ₦3 million payment received from Yorro Local Government Area was withdrawn and handed over to Yero, who allegedly took the funds to the Government House.

Johns also gave details of other transactions involving the company’s account, including payments of ₦4.4 million and two separate transfers of ₦10 million each made on July 24, 2019.

He told the court that the transactions were reported to his superiors and that some withdrawals were made following instructions received.

The prosecution is expected to continue presenting its evidence when the trial resumes in October 2026.