The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 15 charges against the former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, in connection with a ₦27 billion fraud case.
Saturday Telegraph had earlier reported that Ishaku was apprehended by the operatives of the anti-graft agency at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday, September 27.
The charges against the former governor include criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and embezzlement of public funds during his tenure from 2015 to 2021 which include state and local government funds.
One of the key accusations is the siphoning of ₦1.01 billion from the 2.5% reserve fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between August 2015 and March 2016.
The former governor is also accused of misusing ₦3.348 billion from local government council funds for personal benefit and allegedly embezzling ₦639 million for private use.
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The former governor is also accused of misusing ₦3.348 billion from local government council funds for personal benefit and allegedly embezzling ₦639 million for private use.
Other charges detail the theft of ₦1.138 billion from the same reserve fund between July 2015 and May 2019, and ₦193 million from Donga Local Government Council funds.
Ishaku is also accused of diverting ₦650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, ₦170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and ₦201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council.
Further allegations include the purchase of a duplex in Abuja with state government funds and using ₦761 million to settle a personal loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the charges, which are supported by detailed legal documents. One section of the charge sheet reads: “That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State…committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use…”
The former governor is set to face trial in court as the EFCC moves forward with its case against him. The outcome of this trial is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.
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