A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja Thursday granted bail to former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, in the sum of N150 million.
Ishaku is standing trial for alleged fraud during his tenure as governor.
Also granted bail for the same amount was Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State. Both Ishaku and Yero are standing trial for their alleged involvement in a N27 billion fraud case.
The two defendants are facing a 15-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses them of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and illegal conversion of public funds.
They were remanded in custody following their arraignment on Monday after both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested bail, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Their lawyers, Paul Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Kayode, made oral applications for bail.
However, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the bail request, saying the defense must file a formal application for bail.
Justice Oriji had remanded them in custody pending the ruling on their bail application and adjourned till Thurday.
The judge granted bail on resumption of proceedings after the prosecution did not oppose the request.
The court ordered the accused persons to provide two sureties each, who must reside within the Federal Capital Territory.
The trial was then adjourned to November 4.
Ishaku and Yero were arrested by the EFCC on September 27 in connection with the alleged diversion of N1.138 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State.
The EFCC had requested an accelerated hearing.
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