A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has placed a travel restriction on former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, as his N27 billion fraud trial continues.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, presiding over the case, imposed the restriction on Thursday as part of the bail conditions granted to Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Yero.
Ishaku was granted bail in the sum of ₦150 million, with two sureties who must reside in Abuja, one of whom must be a director in federal government service.
Yero, a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is also facing similar charges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the bail request, with EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) acknowledging that Ishaku had complied with previous bail conditions.
The charges against Ishaku and Yero, marked CR/792/24, stem from allegations of money laundering and the misappropriation of over ₦1 billion from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
According to the EFCC, between August 2015 and May 2019, the duo allegedly diverted several sums, including ₦1.01 billion and ₦1.13 billion, from contingency funds belonging to the bureau.
Further accusations involve the diversion of ₦761 million to repay a loan taken from Zenith Bank by Worthy Construction Limited, a company linked to the defendants.
Other funds allegedly siphoned off include ₦650.6 million, ₦193 million, and ₦170.5 million during their time in office.
Both Ishaku and Yero have pleaded not guilty to the 15-count charge. The trial is set to continue on November 4, 5, and 13, where more evidence is expected to be presented.