The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained a former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, over allegeations of involvement in a N27 billion fraud during his tenure from 2015 to 2021.
The former governor is facing 15 counts, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds.
Among the charges, Ishaku is accused of diverting N1.01 billion from the 2.5% contingency fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016.
Additionally, he allegedly misused N3.348 billion from local government funds for personal gain and diverted N639 million for personal use.
Further accusations include the misappropriation of N1.138 billion from the contingency fund between 2015 and 2019 and the diversion of N193 million from Donga Local Government Council.
He is also charged with breaching the trust involving N650 million, N170 million, and N201 million from Gassol, Gashaka, and Ardo Kola Local Government Councils, respectively.
The EFCC claims that Ishaku used state funds to buy a duplex in Abuja for N23 million and repay a N761 million loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest and charges.
The trial is expected to commence soon in Abuja.
