DARIUS ISHAKU: COURT ADJOURNS TRIAL TO JUNE 15 AS COUNSEL WITHDRAWS FROM SECOND DEFENDANT
Read Time:1 Minute, 32 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and a former Permanent Secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, was on Thursday, April 30, 2026, adjourned to June 15, 2026, by Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
The adjournment followed the announcement in court by Yero’s counsel, Samuel Fagade, of his immediate withdrawal from the case.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and alleged conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution was set to continue the examination-in-chief of its third witness, Taiwo Johns, before the withdrawal disrupted the hearing.
Fagade informed the court that he was stepping down from representing the second defendant and sought the court’s approval for the withdrawal.
In response, Justice Oriji asked the second defendant how he wished to proceed, to which he requested an adjournment of four to six weeks to secure new legal representation, stating that he currently had none.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not oppose the adjournment but argued that due process was not followed, noting that the withdrawing counsel was present at the previous sitting when proceedings commenced and failed to give the required notice.
Jacobs further questioned the defendant’s claim of lacking representation, alleging that the withdrawal appeared strategic to delay proceedings.
However, the newly introduced counsel informed the court that discussions with the second defendant had begun but were yet to be concluded.
Justice Oriji subsequently granted the application for withdrawal and adjourned the matter to June 15, as well as July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0