Court Remands Taraba Ex-Governor Darius Ishaku, Perm Sec in EFCC Custody Over Alleged N27 Billion Fraud

Former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and the state’s former Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, have been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The two were arraigned on Monday, September 30, 2024, before Justice S.C. Oriji at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The EFCC is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero over a 15-count charge related to an alleged N27 billion fraud. The charges include criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the diversion of public funds during Ishaku’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2019.

One of the key charges stated that Ishaku and Yero dishonestly diverted over N1.1 billion, part of a 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Taraba State’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The alleged misappropriation took place during their tenure between July 2015 and May 2019. The EFCC contends this is a violation of the Penal Code Act.

Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges. Following their plea, EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), requested the court to set a trial date and expedite the case. Defense counsels Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, representing Ishaku and Yero, respectively, made oral applications for bail, but the EFCC’s legal team opposed, demanding formal bail applications.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case to Thursday, October 3, 2024, for a hearing on bail and ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.