N27bn fraud trial: Court adjourns Ishaku, Yero’s case after defence counsel withdraws
Abuja Court Adjourns Trial of Former Taraba Governor to June 2026
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has postponed the trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to June 15, 2026. The decision follows the withdrawal of counsel representing the second defendant, Bello Yero.
Presiding Judge S.C. Oriji granted the adjournment after Samuel Fagade, counsel for Yero, announced his immediate withdrawal from the case during Thursday’s proceedings. “I would like to bring to your notice my withdrawal of service, urging my Lord to grant it,” Fagade said. He noted that Yero was aware of the situation and was in the process of seeking new legal representation.
Ishaku and Yero, who once served as the permanent secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 15 counts, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the diversion of public funds totaling 27 billion naira.
The trial was scheduled to proceed with testimony from the prosecution’s third witness, Taiwo Johns, but was halted due to the development. Yero requested additional time to secure a new attorney, asking the court for an adjournment of four to six weeks.
“I want to plead with His Lordship to grant me an adjournment to enable me to get legal representation,” Yero stated, emphasizing that he currently had no legal counsel.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not oppose the adjournment but raised concerns about the timing of the withdrawal, noting Fagade’s presence during the previous hearing when the witness began to testify. Jacobs argued that Fagade should have provided at least three days’ notice to the court regarding his withdrawal.
Additionally, Jacobs claimed that Yero had arrived at the court with another lawyer, who subsequently withdrew from the case. “The second defendant came with a lawyer. They came together to this court,” Jacobs asserted, urging the court to deny an extended adjournment.
The lawyer mentioned later confirmed his preliminary discussions with Yero but clarified that no formal agreement had been established.
Justice Oriji approved the withdrawal and rescheduled the trial, setting additional dates for July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15, 2026.
