Ex-Taraba Gov Ishaku, aide get N150m bail in alleged N27bn fraud case

Former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, and Bello Yero, ex-Permanent Secretary at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, were on Thursday granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja.

The bail was set at N150 million each, with Justice Oriji ordering both defendants to provide two sureties each, residing within the Federal Capital Territory.

Ishaku and Yero face a 15-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing them of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and illegal conversion of public funds totaling N27 billion. The alleged fraud occurred between July 2015 and May 2019, during Ishaku’s tenure as governor.

At their arraignment on Monday, both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested bail. Their lawyers, Paul Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Kayode, made oral applications for bail, but the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the request, seeking formal applications.

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However, during Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Oriji granted bail without opposition from the prosecution. The trial has been adjourned to November 4.

The EFCC alleges that Ishaku and Yero diverted N1.138 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State. The charges against them include dishonestly misappropriating the said sum, contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act.

Ishaku and Yero were arrested by the EFCC on September 27.

Case Details:

– Defendants: Darius Ishaku, former Taraba State Governor, and Bello Yero, ex-Permanent Secretary

– Charges: 15-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and illegal conversion of public funds

-Alleged Fraud: N27 billion, occurring between July 2015 and May 2019

– Bail: N150 million each, with two
sureties each residing within the

Federal Capital Territory
– Trial Adjournment: November 4

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