EFCC Arraigns Ex-Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku, Permanent Secretary Over Alleged N27bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned Darius Ishaku, a former governor of Taraba State, on allegations of fraud.

Darius Ishaku was arraigned on Monday, September 30, 2024, along with Bello Yero, the former Permanent Secretary of Taraba state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The case was brought before Justice S.C. Oriji at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The two men are facing a 15-count charge involving criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the misappropriation of public funds amounting to N27 billion.

One of the charges stated, “That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1, 138, 082, 097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety- Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same Section.”

Another charge reads: “That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero, whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1, 138, 082, 097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety-Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Act.”.

Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to all charges

The EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, requested the court to set a trial date and expedite the proceedings.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Damilola Kayode made oral bail requests for their clients, which Jacobs opposed, asking for formal bail applications instead.

Justice Oriji adjourned the hearing on the bail applications to Thursday, October 3, 2024, and ordered the defendants to remain in EFCC custody until then.

KanyiDaily had reported how Darius Ishaku was arrested and grilled by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.