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₦27 Billion Fraud: EFCC Files 15 Charges Against Ex-Taraba Governor Ishaku

Published

2 months ago

Sep 28, 2024.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed at least 15 charges against former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, following his arrest in Abuja on Friday, September 27.

The charges, primarily focused on fraud, embezzlement, and criminal breach of trust, revolve around an alleged ₦27 billion fraud during Ishaku’s time in office from 2015 to 2021.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to Naija News, the EFCC arrested the ex-governor at his residence in the early hours of the day. Ishaku is accused of misappropriating funds belonging to both the state and local government councils.

The anti-graft agency alleges that the former governor siphoned ₦1.01 billion from the 2.5% reserve fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016.

Additionally, Ishaku is accused of misusing ₦3.348 billion meant for local government councils and appropriating ₦639 million for personal use.

Further accusations include the diversion of ₦1.138 billion from reserve funds between July 2015 and May 2019, as well as the theft of ₦193 million from the Donga Local Government Council’s funds.

Ishaku is also charged with stealing ₦650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, ₦170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and ₦201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.

Among the more notable charges is the alleged purchase of a duplex in Abuja using funds from the Taraba State Government and the use of ₦761 million to settle a personal loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.

EFCC Ex-Taraba Governor Ishaku

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the charges against Ishaku, which were outlined in a charge sheet detailing various breaches of the Penal Code.

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, punishable under the same Section.”

Another charge states: “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, punishable under the same section.”

Ishaku’s trial is expected to begin soon, as the EFCC continues its efforts to recover the misappropriated funds and prosecute those involved in the alleged fraud.