Crime
BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Former Taraba Gov, Ishaku (UPDATED)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme involving N27 billion.
According to reports, Ishaku’s arrest follows an extensive investigation into financial irregularities during his tenure as governor.
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The anti-graft agency alleges that Ishaku mismanaged state funds, diverting billions for personal gain.
Ishaku, alongside a co-defendant identified as Yero, is facing 15 charges of corruption, criminal diversion of public funds, and misappropriation stretching from 2015 to 2021.
Breakdown of Allegations
According to the EFCC, Ishaku and Yero illegally acquired N1.10 billion between August 25, 2015, and March 21, 2016, and dishonestly diverted an additional N1.1 billion from the state’s coffers for personal gain, as outlined in counts one to four.
The fifth count accuses the defendants of misappropriating N193 million between January 2019 and April 2021, while the sixth and seventh counts allege the illegal diversion of N650 million and N170 million respectively, during the same period.
In counts eight and nine, the EFCC alleges the defendants funneled N201.9 million and another N132.1 million into private accounts.
Further, counts ten and eleven claim they misappropriated a staggering N3.3 billion, alongside an additional N639.4 million between July 2019 and February 2021.
The court also heard that N993 million was unlawfully diverted between September 30, 2016, and February 23, 2021, according to count twelve.
In a separate count, the defendants allegedly misappropriated N90 million between May and December 2015.
Ishaku Faces Additional Charges
In counts fourteen and fifteen, Ishaku stands as the sole defendant, accused of siphoning N23 million and N761.3 million between October 2016 and January 2018.
The former governor pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his legal team dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
However, the EFCC insists it has substantial evidence to prove the mismanagement of public funds during his tenure.
The case has been adjourned for further hearings, with public attention now focused on what could be one of the most high-profile corruption trials involving a former state governor in recent years.
Crime
N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Crime
Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.