The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and former permanent secretary, Bello Yero, was disrupted on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja after a sudden change in legal representation for the second defendant.
The proceedings before Justice S. C. Oriji were adjourned to June 15, 2026, after counsel to Bello Yero, Samuel Fagade, informed the court that he was withdrawing from the case.
Ishaku and Yero are facing a 15-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and alleged diversion of about N27 billion in public funds linked to the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The sitting had been scheduled for the continuation of the prosecution’s third witness testimony, but it could not proceed following the withdrawal of counsel.
In court, Fagade informed the judge that he was stepping down from representing Yero, stating that the withdrawal should be granted and noting that arrangements for alternative counsel had been considered.
Following the development, Yero appealed to the court for additional time, explaining that he currently had no legal representation and needed several weeks to secure a new lawyer.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), did not oppose the adjournment outright but criticized the defense side, arguing that proper notice was not given and questioning the sincerity of the request for delay.
He further suggested that there were indications a new lawyer had been present in court discussions but had not formally taken up the case.
The prospective counsel later acknowledged preliminary discussions with Yero but said no formal agreement had been concluded.
Despite objections from the prosecution, the court approved the withdrawal of the defence counsel and granted an adjournment.
The matter was subsequently fixed for June 15, July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings, while both defendants remain under investigation over the alleged multi-billion-naira fraud.
