The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama has granted bail to the former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, and Bello Yero, the former Permanent Secretary at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State, on Thursday.
The two men are standing trial for their alleged involvement in a N27 billion fraud scandal, which has drawn considerable attention.
The court, presided over by Justice Oriji, approved bail for the defendants, setting the sum at N150 million each.
They are facing a 15-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses them of offenses such as criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the illegal conversion of public funds for personal use.
During the arraignment of the defendants earlier this week, both Ishaku and Yero pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Their respective defense attorneys, Paul Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Kayode, sought bail on behalf of their clients, urging the court to grant them temporary freedom while the case is being heard.
The EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, initially opposed the bail application, arguing that a formal written request needed to be filed to allow proper consideration of the matter.
However, despite this objection, Justice Oriji ultimately decided to grant the bail request on Thursday.
The court imposed certain conditions on the bail, including the provision of two sureties for each of the defendants.
These sureties are required to reside within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The EFCC, meanwhile, has called for an accelerated hearing of the case to ensure swift justice is delivered.
Ishaku and Yero’s legal troubles stem from their arrest by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
They were taken into custody for allegedly diverting N1.138 billion from a contingency fund belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State.
The funds were reportedly misappropriated from the 2.5% contingency reserve, meant for administrative purposes.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for November 4, 2024, where both sides are expected to present further evidence and arguments.
With the gravity of the charges, the trial promises to be closely followed, as the court seeks to determine the culpability of the accused in one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent years.
