Kehinde Fajobi
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted bail to former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, in the sum of N150 million with two sureties in like amount.
The bail conditions were set during Ishaku’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a ₦27 billion fraud.
The court specified that the two sureties must reside in Abuja, with their addresses verified by the court registrar. One surety must be a Federal Civil Service director.
Ishaku, along with his co-defendant Bello Hero, is accused of diverting funds from the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during his time as governor.
The EFCC alleges that the funds, meant for local governments, were diverted for personal use. Notably, the EFCC claims that N1 billion was diverted between August 2015 and March 2016, and additional sums were allegedly misappropriated from 2019 to 2021.
Justice Oriji barred both defendants from leaving the country without the court’s permission.
The EFCC did not oppose the bail request, noting that Ishaku had adhered to previous administrative bail conditions.
Trial dates have been set for November 4, 5, and 13.