Court grants bail to former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku in N27bn fraud case

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, bail set at ₦150 million with two sureties in the same sum.

The conditions of bail specify that both sureties must reside within the FCT, and their home addresses must be verified by the court registrar. One surety must also hold a director-level position in the Federal Civil Service.

Ishaku was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦27 billion fraud, alongside his co-defendant, Bello Hero.

The judge has restricted both individuals from leaving the country without the court’s permission.

Rotimi Jacobs, counsel for the EFCC, did not oppose the bail, noting that the former governor had been previously granted administrative bail and did not attempt to evade it.

The trial has been scheduled to begin on November 4, 5, and 13.

Ishaku, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), served as Taraba State’s governor from May 2015 to May 2023.