Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku was arraigned yesterday before Justice S. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on charges of alleged misappropriation of ₦27 billion in state funds.
Ishaku, along with Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is facing a 15-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated the charges, accusing Ishaku and Yero of diverting ₦1.138 billion from the 2.5 percent contingency fund belonging to the Bureau between July 2015 and May 2019.
The allegations specify that the defendants dishonestly misappropriated the stated amount, in violation of Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007. Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In response, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, requested a trial date and accelerated hearing. Defense counsel, Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN, representing Ishaku, and Oluwa Kayode for Yero, made oral bail applications. However, Jacobs opposed these requests, insisting that formal applications be submitted.
Justice Oriji adjourned the proceedings until October 3 to hear the bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody until then.