The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), on Monday arraigned Darius Ishaku, ex-governor of Taraba state over alleged N27b fraud.
Ishaku was arraigned at an Abuja Federal High Court, alongside Bello Yero, who served under him as permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Ishaku was governor of Taraba state between May 2015 and May 2023.
They were arraigned on 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.
The charges were read to them before the court presided over by Justice S. C Oriji.
Some of the charges 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, 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.
“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.”
The accused persons pleaded not “not guilty” to all the charges against them.
Rotimi Jacobs, SAN counsel to the EFCC prayed the court for accelerated hearing on the matter.
He also opposed the oral application sought for the accused persons by their counsels Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, insisting on written applications.
Justice Oriji, adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 3, for hearing on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
The accused persons were arrested on September 27, 2024 and detained by the EFCC.