Court Detains Former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku and Permanent Secretary in EFCC Custody Over ₦27 Billion Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the former governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku, along with the state’s former Permanent Secretary for the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, on charges of alleged N27 billion fraud. The duo, arrested on Friday, September 27, 2024, appeared before Justice S. C. Oriji at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday.
They are facing a 15-count charge, which includes criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the misappropriation of public funds amounting to N27 billion. One of the charges accuses Ishaku and Yero of diverting N1.13 billion, a portion of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State, between July 2015 and May 2019. The funds were allegedly misappropriated during their tenure, violating sections of the Penal Code Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), requested the court to set a trial date and expedite the case. Meanwhile, defense counsels, Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, representing Ishaku and Yero respectively, sought bail for their clients. However, Jacobs opposed the oral bail applications, demanding formal submissions instead.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case to Thursday, October 3, for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that both defendants remain in the EFCC’s custody until then.
