On Monday, former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku was arraigned in court alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The two face a total of 15 counts related to criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to N27 billion.
The charges include accusations that between July 2015 and May 2019, Ishaku and Yero diverted N1.138 billion from the 2.5 percent contingency fund intended for the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State. This action is claimed to constitute a breach of trust concerning public assets.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asserted that these alleged offenses violate sections 315 and 308 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, 2007. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) requested a trial date and expedited hearings. In contrast, the defense lawyers—Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) for Ishaku and Oluwa Damilola Kayode for Yero—made oral applications for bail, which Jacobs opposed, advocating for formal submissions instead.
Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, October 3, to consider the bail applications, while ordering that both defendants remain in the custody of the EFCC.
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