The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Darius Ishaku, a former governor of Taraba State, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on charges related to fraud.
Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Advertorial
The two are facing a 15-count charge, including allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the diversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion.
One of the key charges against them is the alleged diversion of N1.138 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between July 2015 and May 2019.
The EFCC claimed that the defendants committed criminal breach of trust under sections 315 and 308 of the Penal Code Act, applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
Advertorial
Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to the charges. In response, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), requested a trial date and an expedited hearing of the case.
Meanwhile, defense counsels, Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, representing Ishaku and Yero respectively, made oral applications for bail, which Jacobs opposed, calling for formal written applications instead.
Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji adjourned the case until Thursday, October 3, 2024, for the hearing of the bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending the next hearing.
Darius Ishaku
