DW1, Mr. Yakubu Bulus, a Retiree from the Office of the Accountant General
of Taraba State testified on Subpoena as to what was meant by Direct
Labour. According to him, USUALLY Direct Purchase was done through
Committees and this was the Procedure forALL Government Functionaries
and Monies specified on the Memo for Direct Purchase was absolutely to be
used for that purpose.
PW12, Mr. Ishaq Salihu Ismael, the IPO and Chief Superintendent of Police,
corroborated this piece of evidence rendered by DW1, Mr. Yakubu Bulus,
stating that that Direct Labour is a Cost-Saving Mechanism whereby a
Committee would be set up to Purchase the Stationeries and Office
Equipment and it is not a Contract that would require a Third-Party.
DW3, Mr. Aminu Ayuba, the Present Acting Accountant General Taraba
State, a Subpoenaed Witness, under Cross-Examination, was shown Page 1
of Exhibit CC, the request for release of Two Hundred and Fifty Million
(N250, 000, 000.00).
He confirmed the Memo and the Accompanying Processes and explained the
Purpose of the Funds after it had been released to the Ministry of Finance,
and presumed that they were supposed to transact business through Direct
Purchase, meaning it would not be contracted out. Civil Servants would
directly Purchase the items without Third Party involvement, in line with
Exhibit CC. When questioned that the Approval stated that the Memo was
covered by the 2004 Budget, he answered that it was the last date in 2004
and the Accountant General was notified to release the Funds.
Further, he confirmed Page 5 of Exhibit CC, which reflects the
Acknowledgement Receipt dated the 4th of January 2005, issued by the
Ministry of Finance to the Accountant General who received the Cheque of
Two Fifty Million (N250, 000, 000. 00). He also confirmed the Voucher in
Page 6 dated the 31st of December 2004, which had normally predated the
release of the Cheque.
68