Ex-Taraba Governor Granted N150M Bail Amid N27bn Fraud Allegations

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has granted former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, bail in the sum of N150 million related to allegations of fraud amounting to N27 billion.

The ruling was made by Justice Sylvanus Oriji on October 3, 2024.

Justice Oriji stipulated that Ishaku must present two sureties, each also liable for N150 million, with at least one being a federal government employee at the director level.

Both sureties are required to reside in the Federal Capital Territory, with their addresses confirmed by the court registrar.

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Additionally, the court has prohibited Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Yero, from leaving the country without prior court permission. The bail application was not contested by the prosecution, which noted that Ishaku had previously been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without any violations.

Ishaku, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, faces 15 counts of fraud. During the arraignment, he pleaded not guilty.

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The charges accuse Ishaku and Yero of misappropriating funds belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, including substantial amounts diverted for personal use and loans related to a private company.

Trial proceedings are set to begin on November 4, 5, and 13, 2024.