The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, over his alleged involvement in a 27 billion naira fraud.
The former governor faces 15 charges, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds during his tenure from 2015 to 2021. The charges stem from the alleged misuse of funds belonging to the Taraba State Government and local government councils.
One of the key accusations is the diversion of N1.01 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016. Ishaku is also accused of using N3.348 billion from local government funds for personal purposes and diverting N639 million for his own use.
Additional charges include the misappropriation of N1.138 billion from the contingency fund between July 2015 and May 2019 and the diversion of N193 million from Donga Local Government Council. He is also charged with criminal breach of trust for diverting N650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, N170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and N201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.
Further allegations include purchasing a duplex property in Abuja using N23 million from Taraba State Government funds and using N761 million to repay a loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale confirmed the charges, which are punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act.
One charge states: “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.”
Another count adds: “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.”
