The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, over allegations of fraud.

Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs, before a federal capital territory high court in Maitama.

Both are being prosecuted on a 15-countcharge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27 billion.

One of the charges reads: “That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1, 138, 082, 097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety- Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same Section.”

Another count reads: “That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero, whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1, 138, 082, 097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety-Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them.

Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecution counsel, asked the court for a trial date as well as accelerated hearing on the matter.

However, Paul Ogbole and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero, respectively, made oral bail applications which the prosecution opposed, insisting on formal applications.

Sylvanus Oriji, presiding judge, adjourned the matter till October 3 for hearing on bail applications.

The judge ordered the remand of the defendants in EFCC’s custody.

Ishaku was governor of Taraba state between 2015 and 2023.

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor to question financial issues during his administration. He was later released on bail.

On September 27, 2024, Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the commission.