Court Advances N27bn Fraud Case Against Ex-Taraba Governor With Key Evidence Admission.
As part of the ongoing N27 billion fraud trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted crucial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The ruling, delivered by Justice Sylvanus Oriji on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the case, which has gripped public attention due to its scale and implications for anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.
Ishaku, alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, faces a 15-count charge of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion. The EFCC alleges that between 2015 and 2021, the duo diverted significant sums, including N1.01 billion from the Bureau’s 2.5% contingency fund between August 2015 and March 2016, for personal use. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The admitted evidence includes a confessional statement by the EFCC’s first prosecution witness, Ismail Lawal, a personal assistant to Ishaku during his tenure. Lawal’s statement, written while in EFCC custody, details instructions he allegedly received from Ishaku to disburse funds, often in cash amounts ranging from N20 million to N100 million, to various individuals and accounts. Justice Oriji overruled objections from Ishaku’s counsel, dismissing claims that the statement was inadmissible, stating, “The objection is overruled, and the statement received in evidence.”
The EFCC’s prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the ruling as a step forward in holding public officials accountable. “This evidence is critical to establishing the pattern of misappropriation,” an EFCC spokesperson noted. The case has faced delays, including adjournments due to Ishaku’s absence for medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, but Wednesday’s session saw both defendants present in court.
Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, has been largely supportive of the EFCC’s efforts, with users praising the court’s decision to admit the evidence. “Justice is moving forward for Taraba’s stolen funds,” one user wrote, echoing widespread calls for transparency in the trial.
Ishaku’s legal team, represented by P.H. Ogbole (SAN), had previously challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the Taraba State Anti-Corruption Commission, not the EFCC, should handle the case as it involves state finances. The court reserved its ruling on this objection until the final judgement, citing Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The trial has spotlighted Nigeria’s broader fight against corruption, with the EFCC intensifying efforts to recover misappropriated public funds. In 2022, the agency secured over 2,800 convictions for financial crimes, and high-profile cases like this one underscore its mandate to pursue accountability at all levels of government.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until 2 July 2025 for cross-examination of the prosecution witness and continuation of the trial. As the legal proceedings unfold, Nigerians are watching closely, hopeful that the case will set a precedent for justice and deter future financial misconduct by public officials.
For Taraba State, where infrastructure and public services have long suffered from underfunding, the outcome of this trial could pave the way for greater trust in governance. The EFCC has urged citizens to remain vigilant, emphasising that public support is vital in the fight against corruption.
