The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, granted bail to former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary Bello Yero in N150 million each.
Both are facing a 15-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds. The court ordered strict conditions for their bail, including producing two sureties each and restrictions on their travel.
Ex-Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku Granted ₦150m Bail in Corruption Case.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary Bello Yero following corruption charges and misappropriation of public funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned both defendants on a 15-count charge, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of funds.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who presided over the case, set bail at ₦150 million each, with stringent conditions, including providing two sureties each in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a director-level civil servant residing in Abuja, and both sureties must submit an affidavit of means to the court. The defendants are also restricted from leaving the country without court permission.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants misappropriated over ₦1.1 billion, part of a contingency fund for the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Ishaku’s governorship between 2015 and 2019. They are accused of diverting the funds for personal use, violating sections of the Penal Code Act.
Both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their trial is scheduled to begin on November 4, 2024. The prosecution uncontested the bail hearing, as the EFCC had already granted administrative bail to the defendants before their court appearance.
This case is part of the EFCC’s broader effort to combat corruption and ensure accountability among public officials.
Key Dates
- Arraignment: September 2024
- Bail Granted: October 2024
- Trial Start: November 4, 2024
