Former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku Arraigned Over Alleged N27 Billion Fraud

Former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, was arraigned yesterday before Justice S. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of misappropriating N27 billion in state funds. Ishaku, along with former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, faces a 15-count charge of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused the duo of diverting N1.138 billion from the 2.5 percent contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between July 2015 and May 2019. The charges are based on violations of Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory.

Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, requested a trial date and expedited hearing. Meanwhile, defense counsels Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Kayode made oral bail applications, which Jacobs opposed, insisting on formal procedures.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case to October 3 for the hearing of bail applications and ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody until then.