Court Postpones Ex Taraba Governor’s Trial As Lawyer Withdraws From Case

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has postponed the ongoing trial of former Taraba State governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and a former permanent secretary, Bello Yero, after a development involving legal representation disrupted proceedings.

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Naija News reports that the case, presided over by Justice S. C. Oriji, was adjourned on Thursday, April 30, 2026, to June 15, 2026. The adjournment came after Yero’s lawyer, Samuel Fagade, informed the court that he had stepped down from representing the second defendant with immediate effect.

Both men are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over a 15-count charge linked to alleged conspiracy, breach of trust, and the diversion of public funds amounting to about ₦27 billion.

During the sitting, the prosecution had begun presenting its third witness, Taiwo Johns, when the hearing was interrupted by the announcement of the lawyer’s withdrawal. This brought proceedings to a halt.

Following the situation, the judge asked Yero how he intended to proceed without legal representation. In response, the former official requested more time to secure a new lawyer, stating that he currently had no one representing him and needed several weeks to make arrangements.

Although the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, did not oppose the request for adjournment, he raised concerns about the manner of the withdrawal. He pointed out that the lawyer who stepped down had been present at the previous hearing when the witness began giving evidence and had not followed the required notice period before withdrawing from the case.

He also questioned the claim that the second defendant had no legal representation, stating that another lawyer had accompanied him to court and had initially indicated readiness to appear before later stepping back.

The lawyer in question later addressed the court, explaining that discussions with the second defendant had started but had not yet been finalised.

After considering the situation, Justice Oriji approved the withdrawal of Yero’s counsel and fixed new dates for the continuation of the trial. The case is now scheduled to resume on June 15, with additional hearing dates set for July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15, 2026.