The EFCC, on Monday, September 30, 2024, brought former Taraba State governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and ex-permanent secretary Bello Yero before Justice Oriji at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, facing allegations of a N27 billion fraud. The court directed that the defendants be held in the custody of the EFCC.

Upon hearing all the charges presented, they entered a plea of "not guilty." This prompted the prosecution attorney, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, to request a trial date from the court and to advocate for an expedited hearing of the case. Meanwhile, Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, who represent Ishaku and Yero respectively, made verbal bail requests. Jacobs opposed these requests, emphasizing the need for formal applications to be submitted.

Justice Oriji has postponed the case until Thursday, October 3, for a hearing regarding the bail applications and has directed that the defendants be held in the custody of the EFCC. The two defendants were apprehended on September 27, 2024.