Former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has been arraigned before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on charges of alleged misappropriation of N27 billion in state funds.
Ishaku, along with former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, faces a 15-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accuses Ishaku and Yero of diverting N1,138,082,097.71 from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State between July 2015 and May 2019.
The charges allege dishonestly misappropriating the said amount, contrary to 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, prompting prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to request a trial date and accelerated hearing.
Counsel for Ishaku and Yero, Paul Harris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, respectively, made oral bail applications, which Jacobs opposed, insisting on formal applications.
Justice Oriji has adjourned the case until Thursday, October 3, for a hearing on bail applications and has ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.