A former governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku and the former Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, have been charged before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja over alleged N27 billion fraud.
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, September 30.
Persecondnews reports that the duo is facing a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds 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 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.”
They, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) requested for a trial date as well as accelerated hearing of the case.
Mr. Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Mr. Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero respectively, made oral bail applications which Jacobs opposed, insisting on formal applications.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until Thursday, October 3, for hearing of the bail applications and ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
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