EFCC arrests former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku over alleged N9.3bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, in connection with an alleged fraud involving N9.3 billion. 

Sources indicate that Ishaku is currently in custody at the EFCC office in Abuja. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest but did not provide additional details.

The commission has filed a 15-count charge against Ishaku at a federal high court in Abuja, where he is set to be arraigned alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Ishaku faces serious allegations of criminal breach of trust and the misappropriation of state funds, violating Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007.

Key allegations include the misappropriation of N1.1 billion from the 2.5% contingency funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016, as well as the diversion of N1.1 billion in state funds for personal use. Additional misappropriations include N193 million, N650 million, and N170 million allegedly diverted between January 2019 and April 2021.

Furthermore, Ishaku is accused of diverting N3.3 billion and N639.4 million between July 2019 and February 2021, with further allegations involving the diversion of N993 million and N90 million at various times from 2015 to 2021. Ishaku is specifically facing counts 14 and 15 for allegedly diverting N23 million and N761.3 million between October 2016 and January 2018.

Darius Ishaku served as governor of Taraba State from 2015 to 2023. The EFCC had previously invited him for questioning regarding financial issues from his eight-year tenure in July 2023, after which he was released on bail.