Ishaku, Taraba Ex-Gov, Remanded in N27 Billion Fraud Scandal

“Former Taraba governor Ishaku and a permanent secretary have been remanded in custody over alleged N27 billion fraud. Get the full details of the case here.

A Metropolitan Sub-High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has remanded the detention of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Department, Bello Yero, to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which arranged the arrest of the two on September 27, 2024 for allegedly embezzling N27 billion from their offices.

In a suit marked CR/792/24, the EFCC accused the two of embezzling N1.01 billion between August 25, 2015 and March 21, 2016 in Abuja.

Read Also: EFCC Set to Revive Corruption Probe Against Ex-Gov Matawalle

The funds were reportedly part of the 2.5 percent emergency fund allocated to local government and chieftaincy offices. The charges against her fall under Article 315 of the Criminal Code, which deals with crimes involving public funds.

The defendants are suspected of embezzling N1.01 billion as well as other sums including N650 million, N193 million and N170 million between January 2019 and April 2021.

Ishaku and Iero pleaded not guilty to both charges. EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), applied for fast track trial and oral bail applications by defence counsel, Paul Harris Ogbole and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, were rejected by the prosecution.

The court adjourned the matter until Thursday, October 3, 2024 for hearing on the bail applications and ordered that the defendants remain in EFCC custody until then.