The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, on Monday over allegations of a N27 billion fraud.
Sources within the EFCC revealed that the former governor, who was arrested at his Abuja residence on Friday, has been under investigation for years, with a robust case now built against him.
According to an EFCC insider, “We have thoroughly investigated the former governor, and we are confident the evidence we’ve gathered is sufficient to prove the allegations in court.”
It was further disclosed that the former governor is expected to appear before the court as 15 charges have already been filed against him.
Ishaku, who served as governor for eight years before leaving office in 2023, remains in EFCC custody at the time of filing this report. He is eligible for administrative bail, pending his compliance with EFCC’s conditions.
Since the news of Ishaku’s arrest broke, there have been widespread calls for the EFCC to extend its investigation beyond the N27 billion fraud.
A former Nigerian ambassador, Alhaji Ardo Jika, expressed his belief that other financial mismanagements during Ishaku’s tenure should be scrutinized.
“The EFCC needs to dig deeper. Beyond the N27 billion allegation, there are questions about the sale of government vehicles and loans taken without adequate justification,” Jika stated. He added that he had raised concerns about the governor’s financial conduct while he was still in office.
Opposition and Civic Groups Demand Accountability
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba also reacted to the arrest, with its Director of Publicity, Mr. Aeron Atimas, urging the EFCC to carry out the prosecution without delay. “The people of Taraba deserve to know where their money went. This must not end with an arrest. The prosecution should be thorough and transparent,” Atimas remarked.
Similarly, a pressure group, Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC), led by its coordinator Mr. Emos Tijani, called for the EFCC to investigate additional funds, particularly those allocated through the State’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). “We are ready to monitor this case until its conclusion and expose any further discrepancies in the former governor’s handling of state funds,” Tijani asserted.
The people of Taraba are now keenly awaiting Monday’s court session, hopeful that justice will be served regarding the alleged financial malpractices of their former governor.
