The ongoing legal proceedings involving former Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Yero, have been postponed by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. This development occurred after the lawyer representing Yero announced his immediate withdrawal from the case.
Justice S. C. Oriji ordered the adjournment following the unexpected move by counsel Samuel Fagade, who stated, “I hereby notify the court of my withdrawal from representing the second defendant, and I kindly request Your Lordship’s approval.” He added that his client had been informed and was already in the process of seeking a replacement.
Ishaku, the former governor, and Yero, who previously served as permanent secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are facing a 15-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges include criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N27 billion.
The trial was scheduled to continue with the testimony of the prosecution’s third witness, Taiwo Johns, but this was interrupted by the counsel’s withdrawal. In court, Yero pleaded for additional time to secure legal representation, saying, “I humbly request an adjournment of four to six weeks to allow me to engage a new lawyer. Currently, I have no legal representation.”
Prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not object to the adjournment but expressed concern over the timing of the withdrawal. He pointed out that the outgoing counsel was present during the previous session when the witness began testifying but failed to provide the mandatory three-day notice. “When our PW3 was called, this counsel was present. He should have at least notified the court three days in advance,” Jacobs argued.
Jacobs further alleged that Yero may not have been entirely transparent, claiming that a new lawyer had accompanied him to court but later withdrew from the cause list. “The second defendant arrived with a lawyer; they entered the courtroom together, and that lawyer is currently listening to my argument,” Jacobs stated, urging the judge to limit the duration of the adjournment.
However, the lawyer in question clarified that he had only held preliminary discussions with Yero and had not formally accepted the case. Justice Oriji allowed the withdrawal and rescheduled the trial for June 15, 2026, with additional hearing dates set for July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15 of the same year.