Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku bail set at ₦150 million.
The court ruling came after Ishaku was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of fraud totalling ₦27 billion.
Both Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Hero, face serious accusations involving the misappropriation of public funds during Ishaku’s time as governor.
The conditions for the bail require that both defendants provide two sureties each, who must reside within the FCT.
One of these sureties must hold a director-level position in the Federal Civil Service.
Justice Oriji emphasised that the home addresses of the sureties must be verified by the court registrar.
Ishaku and Hero are also restricted from leaving the country without the court’s permission.
The trial is scheduled to begin on November 4, 5, and 13.
Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC’s lead counsel, expressed that he did not oppose the bail application, noting Ishaku’s previous compliance with earlier bail conditions.
They are accused of diverting a total of ₦27 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
EFCC claims that Ishaku and Hero misused these funds for personal gain while Ishaku served as governor from May 2015 to May 2023.
One notable example involves the diversion of ₦1 billion between August 25, 2015, and March 21, 2016.
Additionally, the EFCC highlights further diversions of ₦650,686,369.99 and ₦193.03 million between January 2019 and April 2021.
Ishaku, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was governor of Taraba State from May 2015 until May 2023.
His political career has been marked by various roles, including serving as a minister overseeing power and environment ministries.
The response from the public and political circles has been varied.
Some see the bail as a sign of the legal process respecting due process, while others view it as a potential loophole in accountability for public officials.
The EFCC has been ramping up its efforts to tackle fraud among public officials in Nigeria.
This case will likely be scrutinised as a reflection of the broader challenges the nation faces in combating corruption.
Legal experts predict that the trial will serve as a crucial test for the EFCC’s credibility and effectiveness in prosecuting high-profile cases.
