The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, over his alleged involvement in a N27 billion fraud.
Ishaku is facing 15 charges that include criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2021.
An impeccable source confirmed the development on Friday night, stating, “Former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, was arrested for N27 billion fraud.
He is to be arraigned on 15 charges and is currently in our custody.” The EFCC’s efforts to ensure accountability and combat corruption in Nigeria’s public sector led to the arrest.
Details of Alleged Fraud
The former governor’s charges stem from alleged mismanagement of funds belonging to the Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils.
Among the allegations, 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.
He is also charged with the misappropriation of N1.138 billion from the same contingency fund between July 2015 and May 2019.
Further accusations include the criminal breach of trust involving N193 million from Donga Local Government Council funds, N650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, N170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and N201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.
Ishaku also allegedly used N3.348 billion from Local Government Council funds for personal gain and diverted an additional N639 million for personal use.
Use of Government Funds for Personal Gain
The former governor is facing allegations of using state funds for private purchases and transactions. One such accusation involves the use of N23 million from Taraba State Government funds to purchase a duplex property in Abuja.
Additionally, Ishaku allegedly diverted N761 million to repay a loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.
The charge sheet, as seen by *Vanguard*, reads in part: “That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State, committed a criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly diverted the sum of N1,010,000,000 from the 2.5% contingency funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, to your own use.”
EFCC and Trial Proceedings
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, confirmed Ishaku’s arrest but declined to comment further on the matter.
The case is expected to proceed to trial soon, where Ishaku will face the full consequences of the alleged offenses.
The charges also detail that Ishaku used N761 million of state funds to settle a loan granted by Zenith Bank Plc. to his company. This particular charge states: “You, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State, committed a criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly diverted N761,301,000 from the funds belonging to the Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils to repay a private loan.”
The EFCC continues its crackdown on corruption, with this case marking another high-profile investigation in its ongoing efforts to curb financial misconduct in public office.
