EFCC arrests ex-Taraba gov over alleged N27bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, into custody on Friday, September 27, in connection with a N27 billion fraud allegation. The 70-year-old politician, who served as Taraba’s governor for two terms from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was apprehended at his residence in Abuja.

As reported by TVC News, the arrest stems from accusations of financial misconduct during his time in office. According to sources, the EFCC has filed at least 15 charges against Ishaku, and he is expected to face trial soon as sufficient evidence has been gathered. Daily Trust also noted that Ishaku was detained after failing to provide satisfactory explanations for the financial irregularities linked to his administration.

Among the accusations, Ishaku is alleged to have diverted N1.01 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016. He is also accused of misusing N3.348 billion from local government council funds for personal benefit and diverting N639 million for personal use.

Further charges include the misappropriation of N1.138 billion from the contingency fund between July 2015 and May 2019, as well as the illegal diversion of N193 million from Donga Local Government Council.

Additional allegations involve criminal breach of trust, with N650 million reportedly diverted from Gassol Local Government Council, N170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and N201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.

EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Ishaku’s arrest but refrained from providing further details on the ongoing investigation.