An Abuja High Court has adjourned the trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, over alleged N27 billion fraud, until June 2, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ishaku and a former Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, on 15 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

At Monday’s sitting, although the defendants and their legal teams were present in court, the prosecuting counsel, James Shaba, informed the court that the lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, was attending to another matter at the Court of Appeal. He requested that the case be stood down for an hour to allow Jacobs arrive.

However, Ishaku’s counsel, Eko Eko, SAN, opposed the request, citing the former governor’s fragile health and bereavement, stressing that it was inappropriate to subject him to prolonged waiting. He urged the court to fix a definite date instead of a temporary stand-down.

Adeola Adedipe, SAN, counsel for the second defendant, supported the objection and called for a clear adjournment date.

After considering the submissions, Justice Slyvanius Oriji adjourned the matter to June 2, June 11, and July 2, 2025, for continuation of trial.