Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has been granted bail of N150 million by the FCT High Court amid allegations of N27 billion fraud. The court has set trial dates for November, with the EFCC alleging he diverted substantial funds during his time in office.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail set at N150 million by the Federal Capital Territory High Court amid allegations of fraud totaling N27 billion brought forth by the Federal Government. Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the bail ruling, requiring Ishaku to secure two sureties of equivalent value, with at least one being a director-level employee of the federal government.
Under the bail terms, both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, and their addresses will be subject to verification by the court's registrar. Furthermore, Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Hero, are prohibited from leaving Nigeria without prior court approval.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by attorney Rotimi Jacobs, did not contest the bail application, noting that Ishaku had adhered to prior administrative bail conditions set by the EFCC. When arraigned, Ishaku faced 15 counts of fraud but entered a not guilty plea.
The EFCC claims that Ishaku and Hero diverted N1.01 billion between August 2015 and March 2016, an amount alleged to have originated from the contingency funds of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The court has scheduled the commencement of the trial for November 4, 5, and 13, as proceedings continue regarding the serious charges against Ishaku and his associate.
