EFCC arrests ex-Taraba Gov. Darius Ishaku over alleged N27bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, for alleged involvement in a N27 billion fraud scheme.

According to a reliable source, Ishaku is set to face trial on 15 charges, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds.

His arrest is part of the EFCC’s ongoing campaign to combat corruption and promote accountability within Nigeria’s public sector.

The charges reflect a serious effort to address financial crimes involving public officials.

“Former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, was arrested for N27 billion fraud.

He is to be arraigned on 15 charges and is in our custody,” the source said.

The alleged offenses occurred between 2015 and 2021, during Ishaku’s tenure as governor, involving funds belonging to the Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils.

Specifically, Ishaku is accused of diverting N1.01 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between August 2015 and March 2016.

Further allegations include the misappropriation of N1.138 billion from the same contingency fund between July 2015 and May 2019, and the diversion of N193 million from Donga Local Government Council funds.

Other charges include criminal breach of trust involving N650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, N170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and N201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.

Additionally, Ishaku allegedly used N3.348 billion from Local Government Councils’ funds for personal gain and diverted N639 million for his own use.

The former governor is also accused of buying a duplex property in Abuja with N23 million from Taraba State Government funds and using N761 million to repay a loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman, confirmed the development but declined further comment.

The case is expected to proceed to trial, with Ishaku facing potential consequences for the alleged offenses.

The charge sheet, as seen by Saturday Vanguard, states in part: “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.”