Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has been granted bail in the sum of N150 million by an FCT High Court over an alleged N27 billion fraud case brought against him by the federal government. Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted Ishaku bail with two sureties, also in the amount of N150 million, one of whom must be a director in the civil service. Both sureties must be residents of the FCT, and their addresses will be verified by the court registrar.
The court also restricted Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Yero, from traveling outside the country unless they obtain permission from the court. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose Ishaku’s bail request, citing that he had previously been granted administrative bail and did not violate it.
Ishaku faces 15 counts of fraud, including diverting funds from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and has pleaded not guilty. The trial is set to begin on November 4, 5, and 13. The EFCC accuses Ishaku and Yero of diverting various sums, including N1.01 billion, N1.14 billion, and N761.3 million, for personal use, in violation of the Penal Code.
The allegations against Ishaku and Yero include criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds meant for the Taraba State Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and local government councils.
