Ex-Taraba Gov Darius Ishaku Arrested Over N27bn Fraud

Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a staggering N27 billion fraud.

Ishaku faces a 15-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds during his tenure from 2015 to 2021.

Specific allegations include diverting N1.01 billion from Taraba State’s contingency fund and misusing local government councils’ funds for personal gain.

Ishaku is also accused of buying a duplex in Abuja with state funds and using N761 million to repay a loan for his company.

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The spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale has confirmed the development.

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Part of the charge sheet reads:

“That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State and BELLO YERO, while being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between 25th August 2015 and 21st March 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,010,000,000 (One Billion and Ten Million Naira), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same Section.

“That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State between 3rd September 2015 and 29th January 2018 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N761,301,000 (Seven Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Three Hundred and One Thousand Naira), which sum formed part of the funds belonging to Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils in Taraba State, and you hereby committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to defray the loan of One Billion Naira granted by Zenith Bank Plc. to your company, Worthy Construction Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same section.”