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Alleged N27b Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ex-Taraba Gov Ishaku, Permanent Secretary

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, and a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja for fraud.

Both are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27bn.

One of the charges reads: “That you Darius Dickson Sshaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero whilst being the permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July 2015 and May 2019 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, 138, 082, 097.71 (one billion, one hundred and thirty-eight million, eighty-two thousand, ninety- seven naira, seventy-one kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund 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.”

Another count reads: “That you Darius Dickson Sshaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero, whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July 2015 and May 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of n1, 138, 082, 097.71 (one billion, one hundred and thirty-eight million, eighty-two thousand, ninety-seven naira, seventy-one kobo, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 532, laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under Section 309 of the same act.”

They pleaded “Not guilty” when all the charges were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, san to ask the court for a trial date as well as an accelerated hearing of the matter, while Paul Haris Ogbole, and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero respectively made oral bail applications which jacobs opposed, insisting on formal applications.

Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 3, for a hearing on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s custody. Both defendants were arrested on September 27, 2024.

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Sanwo-Olu Commends Banana Island Landlords for Compliance With State Building Laws

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Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday commended house owners in Banana Island for complying with the state building laws.

The governor spoke while commissioning projects carried out by the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, BIPORAL.

The projects commissioned were a state-of-the-art administrative office, recreation Park, mini football field and Banana Island Club House.

Sanwo-Olu commended the outgoing executives of the association led by its chairman Frank Aigbogun for a ‘ good working relationship with government officials.’

” Lagos State officials are currently enjoying working relationships with current executives to ensure necessary fees are paid to the government and residents keep within the rules of engagement in the estate. As a government, what we can do is to continue to support you,” Sanwo-Olu said.



He further urged them to continue abiding with building plans of the state government, adding that ‘we are a government for all ‘

While lamenting the lack of maintenance culture in the country, Sanwo-Olu urged them to maintain the facilities .

On the perennial flood experienced by the residents on the road leading to the estate, Sanwo-Olu promised that the Ministry of Environment will carry out inspection of the road with a view to finding lasting solutions.

He however noted that the flood is caused by houses built on the water channel around the area, adding that the government will not hesitate to demolish such houses after inspecting the area.

“Somebody has built a house on a channel of water that is supposed to be flowing to the sea. I plead with you to work with us. I don’t have an interest in demolishing people’s houses or making life uncomfortable for the people but we have to do what we have to do,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The chairman of the estate, Frank Aigbogun said the commissioning of the projects has redefined communal living in the island and was a major step ‘in our vision to create a thriving, secure and healthy community.’

He also pleaded with the governor to accelerate and ensure the access road to the estate is repaired.

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I Regret Obtaining NDA Form For Lagbaja, Says Family Head

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The head of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja’s family, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed regret obtaining Nigerian Defence Academic (NDA) form for the deceased.

Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, stated that he would not have bought the form had he known it would lead to his death.

Some family members also alleged that Lt. General Lagbaja may have been killed through diabolical means due to a land dispute in his hometown.

According to TheNation, In 2023 a dispute arose in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area in Osun State, when representatives of the Nigerian Army planned to establish a hospital in the community.

Pa Tajudeen told TheNation that he initially obtained the NDA form for the late Lieutenant General.

“Everyone who is born must die. We give glory to God. The year that I obtained NDA form for him, if I had known that he would die before me, I would not have done so. I regret obtaining the form for him. But it is destiny.

“The death that killed Taoreed Lagbaja ought to take me. I took him as one of my children. We are greatly bereaved, we are sad. He constructed a borehole in his father’s compound and other places in the community.

“We can never forget him, his death is so shocking to us. I have accepted the fate, all the promises he made to me have hit a brick wall. He always gave us hope in the family, despite the sorrow, I give thanks to God,” the family head said.

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“I Have Been Arrested By God” – BBNaija Cross Makes Public Announcement

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Big Brother Naija reality star Cross Okonkwo is the latest celebrity to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord Saviour.

Taking to his Instagram page, he announced that he has been arrested by God, and moving forward, he belongs to Jesus Christ,who is the Savior of the world.

He revealed that God called him to do his work and build his Kingdom. Cross claimed that a lot of revival is happening right now on earth, and he wants others to join his agenda.

Cross stated that his life and that of his fans will represent God and his glory from today till the end of time.

“I have been arrested by GOD; moving forward, I belong to JESUS CHRIST, who is the Savior of the world. He has called me to do his work and build his Kingdom. A lot of revival is happening right now on earth. And he wants us as his children to join his agenda. All you need to do is call on him and truly believe that he is your Lord and Savior. And he will answer.

My LIFE and CrossNation will represent him and his glory from today till end of time. For GOD is LOVE and LOVE is GOD (ICSO).

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

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