The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, indicted former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, on charges of embezzling about N27 billion from the state treasury while he was in office.
He was arraigned along with a former permanent secretary of the state Office of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
From left to right: Bello Yero, former permanent secretary of the state Office of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State.
According to a statement on Monday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, both Messrs Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to the 15 charges alleged during their arraignment.
The statement helps the prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rotimi Jacobs, sought an expedited trial and urged the court to schedule an early hearing for the case.
However, the defense lawyers (Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN, representing Mr Ishaku, and Oluwadamilola Kayode, representing Mr Yero), made oral applications for their clients' bail.
But Jacobs urged the judge not to accept oral bail requests from defense attorneys and insisted they must submit written requests.
The trial judge, SC Oriji, decided to adjourn the hearing of the accused's bail applications until Thursday. He ordered the accused to remain in EFCC custody until then.
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PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the two men were charged with misappropriation of N27 billion allegedly siphoned from the state treasury.
This newspaper reported that the EFCC arrested Mr Ishaku last Wednesday ahead of Monday's arraignment.
EFCC alleged in the charges that, on several occasions, Mr Ishaku diverted billions of naira from contingency funds belonging to the state Office of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and certain state local governments to his private uses . The total amounts allegedly diverted amounted to N27 billion.
The commission alleged that the accused committed offenses of breach of trust and misappropriation while Ishaku served as governor from 2015 to May 2023. At the time, Yero was also said to be the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Local Government and Leadership matters.
Before becoming governor, Ishaku held several ministerial positions, including overseeing the energy and environment ministries. He also ran for the Senate, hoping to represent Taraba South Senatorial District after completing his term as governor. But hope faded when he was defeated in the elections, which were held at the twilight of his term as governor.