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BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Ex-Taraba Governor Over N27bn Fraud

Published

3 months ago

Sep 27, 2024.

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

EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to sources, Ishaku is facing 15 charges, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds. His arrest is part of the EFCC’s broader effort to combat corruption and promote accountability in Nigeria’s public sector.

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“The former governor is in our custody and will be arraigned on charges relating to the misappropriation of N27 billion,” a source within the EFCC confirmed.

The charges stem from offenses allegedly committed between 2015 and 2021, during Ishaku’s tenure as governor. The funds in question are linked to the Taraba State Government and various Local Government Councils.

Ishaku is accused of diverting N1.01 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016. Additionally, N1.138 billion was reportedly misappropriated from the same fund between July 2015 and May 2019, while N193 million was allegedly diverted from Donga Local Government Council.

Further charges include the unlawful diversion of N650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, N170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and N201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.

EFCC Ex-Taraba Governor Fraud

Ishaku is also accused of using N3.348 billion from Local Government Councils’ funds for personal gain and diverting N639 million for his own use. Another serious charge involves his purchase of a duplex in Abuja using N23 million of state funds and repaying a N761 million loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited, using public funds.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined to provide further details. Ishaku’s trial is expected to commence soon, with the former governor facing significant legal consequences if found guilty of the alleged offenses.