Nigeria, July 3 -- Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku's defence team in his corruption trial caused a stir at the FCT High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, after asking a prosecution witness if he would like the former governor to be convicted.

Ismail Lawal, the first prosecution witness in the N27 billion fraud case against Mr Ishaku, previously worked for the former governor's private business and later served as his personal assistant during his governorship.

Mr Ishaku's lead defence lawyer, P.H. Ogbole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, put the question across to the prosecution witness seated face to face with his former benefactor during a cross-examination session at Wednesday's proceedings.

The question appeared to be aimed at ...