Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, is now facing a series of charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has levied at least fifteen accusations against Ishaku, ranging from allegations of embezzlement, criminal breach of trust, to the misappropriation of public funds during his time in office as the governor of Taraba State. These charges are part of a broader investigation into his activities between 2015 and 2021.
According to a report previously published by Gistreel, on the morning of Friday, September 27, agents from the EFCC apprehended the former governor from his residence in Abuja. The arrest was made in connection to Ishaku's alleged involvement in a ₦27 billion fraud, which has now led to a formal case being initiated against him by the anti-corruption agency.
Ishaku's trial will center on 15 specific charges, which detail various instances of financial mismanagement, including claims that he misappropriated funds intended for the state's local governments. Among the accusations, the former governor is said to have siphoned ₦1.01 billion from the 2.5% reserve fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between August 2015 and March 2016. Further charges allege that he unlawfully took ₦3.348 billion from local government councils’ funds for personal use and diverted ₦639 million for his own benefit.
In addition to these accusations, it is claimed that Ishaku also diverted ₦1.138 billion from the 2.5% reserve fund between July 2015 and May 2019. There are also charges of theft involving ₦193 million from Donga Local Government Council's funds, ₦650 million from Gassol Local Government Council, ₦170 million from Gashaka Local Government Council, and ₦201 million from Ardo Kola Local Government Council. These funds, according to the EFCC, were illicitly withdrawn during his tenure as governor.
Another key accusation against the former governor involves the purchase of a luxury duplex in Abuja, allegedly using funds from the Taraba State Government. Additionally, it is alleged that Ishaku used ₦761 million to settle a loan for his company, Worthy Construction Limited, which was taken out from Zenith Bank. These actions, the EFCC claims, represent clear breaches of trust and violations of the law.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, has publicly confirmed these allegations, stating that the commission will ensure that all charges are fully pursued in court. In a statement, Oyewale remarked that the EFCC remains committed to ensuring accountability for public officials and that the charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged crimes committed during Ishaku's governorship.
The charge sheet presented by the EFCC details some of the specific allegations. It reads in part: "That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State and BELLO YERO, while being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between 25th August 2015 and 21st March 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,010,000,000 (One Billion and Ten Million Naira), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same Section."
In a separate charge, the EFCC claims: "That you, DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU, while being the Governor of Taraba State between 3rd September 2015 and 29th January 2018 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N761,301,000 (Seven Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Three Hundred and One Thousand Naira), which sum formed part of the funds belonging to Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils in Taraba State, and you hereby committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to defray the loan of One Billion Naira granted by Zenith Bank Plc. to your company, Worthy Construction Limited, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same section."