Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted bail to former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, in the sum of ₦150 million. The former governor, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged ₦27 billion fraud, must also provide two sureties in like sum.
According to the court’s ruling, the two sureties must be residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and have their addresses verified by the court registrar. One of the sureties must be a director in the Federal Civil Service, as stipulated by Justice Oriji.
The judge further barred Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Hero, from leaving the country without court approval.
The EFCC, represented by counsel Rotimi Jacobs, did not oppose the bail request, stating that Ishaku had previously been granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency and had not violated its terms.
The trial is set to begin on November 4, 5, and 13. Darius Ishaku served as the governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023 under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
