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N27 Billion Scandal: EFCC Arrests Ex-Gov For Alleged Fund Diversion

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2 years ago

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N27 Billion Scandal: EFCC Arrests Ex-Gov For Alleged Fund Diversion....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the immediate past governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, for allegedly diverting more than N27 billion belonging to local governments.

Ishaku will face trial with a one-time Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero.

The EFCC has already filed 15 charges against the two men in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ishaku has been in EFCC custody for 72 hours.

It was not clear at press time when precisely they might be arraigned by the anti-graft agency.

However, a top source said the EFCC was awaiting a date for their arraignment from the court.

Read Also:https://nivonews.com/2024/09/28/govt-officials-volunteer-to-serve-free-of-charge-dogara/

According to the charges prepared against the suspects and sighted by The Nation, they allegedly tampered with 2.5% contingency funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State.

Some of the charges are as follows:

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 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, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency funds belonging to 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 and punishable under the same section.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 25th August, 2015 and 21st  March, 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated 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 fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and you.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 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.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and you hereby 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.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 19th July, 2019 and 5th February, 2021 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 N3,348,942,411.15 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Forty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eleven Naira, Fifteen Kobo), which sum formed part of the funds belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and Local Government Councils in Taraba State, and you thereby 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.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 19th July, 2019 and 5th February, 2021 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 N639,435,000.00 (Six Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand Naira), which sum formed part of the funds belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and Local Government Councils in Taraba State, and you thereby 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.”

The EFCC was specific on how the ex-governor and the erstwhile Permanent Secretary allegedly diverted the funds meant for local government areas in the state, including Donga, Gassol and Gashaka Councils.

In one instance, N993.1million meant for local governments in the state could not be accounted for.

Other charges against the former governor and the former permanent secretary include the following:

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 30th September, 2016 and 23rd February, 2021 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 N993,102,053.63 (Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Million, One Hundred and Two Thousand, Fifty-Three Naira and Sixty-Three Kobo), which sum formed part of the funds belonging to Taraba State Government and Local Government Councils in Taraba State.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 6th January, 2019 and 29th April, 2021 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 N193, 030, 000 (One Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Thirty Thousand Naira), which sum formed part of the fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and Donga Local Government Council in 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.

“That you Darius Dickson Ishaku 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 6th January, 2619 and 28th April, 2024 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 N650, 686, 369.99 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo}, which sum formed part of the funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and Gassol Local Government Council 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.”

Ishaku is the second Taraba State former Governor to face trial for corrupt practices.

A former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame was on May 30, 2018 jailed for 14 years by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

Although the sentence was reduced to 12 years by the Supreme Court, he later benefitted from a state pardon.

Ishaku is the first former governor to face trial for alleged diversion of local government funds.

Following persistent complaints by stakeholders about the handling of local government funds by the state governors, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approached the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of the councils as guaranteed by 1999 Constitution (As amended).

It sought direct allocation of funds from the Federation Account to all the councils.

In a landmark judgement on the issue on July 11, 2024, the apex court affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils.

The seven-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, unanimously upheld the application of the Federal Government to reinforce the independence of local governments in the country.

The court also rejected the position of state governments to put caretaker committees in charge of local governments instead of democratically elected local government councils.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgement, held that the local governments should receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation immediately.

He described as illegal and unconstitutional the action of the governors in receiving and withholding  funds allocated to local governments.

He said: “It is the position of this court that the federation can pay local governments allocations directly to the local governments or through the states. In this case, since paying them through the states has not worked, justice demands that local government allocations from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the local governments.”

He added: “The amount standing to the credit of local government councils must be paid by the federation to the local government councils and not by any other person or body.”

The Supreme Court proceeded to grant an injunction restraining the states from collecting funds belonging to the local government councils when no democratically elected local government councils are in place and also “an order that henceforth no state government should be paid monies standing to the credit of the local government councils” as well as “an order for immediate enforcement and compliance with these orders by the state governments and successive governments henceforth.”

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Crime

SABBATH SABOTAGE! Nigerian Military Exposes Deadly Boko Haram/ISWAP Secret Plot To Blood-Bathe Nigeria During Eid-el-Kabir!.

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12 hours ago

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May 25, 2026

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The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, has uncovered credible intelligence revealing that desperate remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP are plotting isolated suicide bombings and IED strikes during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. In a swift response, Media Information Officer Lt. Col. Sani Uba announced that the Theatre Command has already activated comprehensive defensive countermeasures, deploying heavy troop reinforcements to vulnerable, high-density areas across all sectors.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Security forces have fully mobilized surveillance and ISR assets while executing joint, tight patrol sweeps alongside the Civilian JTF and community vigilance groups. To guarantee total safety, the military is advising citizens to hold their Eid prayers closer to their immediate neighborhoods and avoid massive, unprotected open-air crowds. Residents are being urged to report any unattended objects or suspicious strangers to nearby checkpoints immediately, with a stern warning issued against unnecessary late-night movements or sharing panic-inducing rumors online.

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HOLIDAY LOCKDOWN: 5 Critical Directives From Operation Hadin Kai to Stop Eid Terror Plots

  • The Evil Threat: High-level military intelligence exposes plans by Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants to smuggle suicide bombers and IEDs into crowded festive locations.

  • Troops Deployed: In an immediate counter-move, massive military forces have been forward-deployed to secure markets, prayer grounds, and motor parks across the North-East.

  • Pray Close to Home: The military is officially advising families to conduct their Eid prayers and holiday activities within their immediate, familiar communities.

  • Avoid Large Crowds: Citizens are strongly urged to stay alert in public hubs like banking halls and transport bays, avoiding massive unmonitored open gatherings wherever possible.

  • Zero Tolerance for Panic: Authorities are warning the public to cooperate fully at security checkpoints and refrain from spreading unverified security updates on social media.

Option 3: Editorial & Analytical (Best for a Feature Column)

Defeating the Festive Threat: Inside Operation Hadin Kai’s Proactive Security Blanket for Eid-el-Kabir

As the North-East prepares for the Eid-el-Kabir festivities, the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, has shifted to a maximum-security footing to neutralize adaptive asymmetric threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP. An official briefing by Lt. Col. Sani Uba indicated that while the insurgent factions have been severely degraded, intelligence confirms they are actively looking to exploit high-density civilian targets using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to create holiday disruptions.

The military’s preemptive strategy combines high-tech Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets with grassroots security collaboration involving the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local rulers. By urging citizens to localized prayer centers and encouraging a culture of immediate civic reporting, the command is building a resilient, double-layered security ring. This proactive stance demonstrates that the military is no longer just responding to insurgent activity, but actively dominating the security landscape to ensure the region celebrates in peace and dignity.

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Crime

LAGOS AIRPORT OUTRAGE: How A Chinese National Sneaked 31kg Of Narcotics Past Terminal Security Before Brutal NDLEA Arrest.

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2 days ago

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May 24, 2026

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LAGOS — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 63-year-old Chinese national, Ting Hung Kiong, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for attempting to traffic 31 kilograms of “Canadian Loud”—a potent synthetic strain of cannabis—into Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kiong, who has naturalized in Malaysia, was intercepted on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Terminal 2 arrival hall following her arrival on an Emirates Airline flight from Thailand via Dubai.

The Transit Route and Cover Story

Intelligence reports indicate that Kiong’s multi-nation route began in Malaysia, moved through Thailand, and routed via the United Arab Emirates before landing in Lagos with two large suitcases packed with the synthetic narcotics.

Suspect Profile & Claims:

  • Name / Age: Ting Hung Kiong, 63

  • Nationality: Chinese (Naturalized in Malaysia)

  • Stated Profession: Caregiver

  • Defense Claim: Kiong alleged her daughter financed her travel from Malaysia to Thailand and Nigeria. She claimed that after a two-week stay in Thailand, an associate handed her the suitcases at the airport to deliver to a contact in Nigeria.

Nationwide Crackdown: Billions in Contraband Seized

The NDLEA also executed several high-profile interdictions across major international hubs and regional border posts over the past week:

1. Multi-Billion Naira Pharmaceutical Bust at MMIA

In a coordinated follow-up operation at the Lagos airport, operatives took custody of a massive shipment of Tapentadol tablets imported from India. The cargo arrived via an Emirates Cargo flight and was formally handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, May 22, 2026.

  • Seizure: 29 cartons containing 1,825,710 tablets of Tapentadol (250mg).

  • Estimated Street Value: $\text{N}2,190,852,000$ (over 2.1 billion Naira).

2. Airport Interceptions in Abuja and Enugu

  • Enugu (Akanu Ibiam International Airport): Operatives detained Onyeka Valentine Emeka after he arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa. While under specialized medical observation, the suspect excreted 185.36 grams of cocaine.

  • Abuja (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport): Babatunde Prosper Afekhide, a 29-year-old building engineer, was arrested before boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy. A thorough baggage search uncovered 10,280 pills of mixed illicit pharmaceuticals (Tramaking, Tramadol, and Tapentadol) hidden inside a cardboard carton within his suitcase.

3. International Courier Interceptions

Raids at a logistics and courier firm in Lagos intercepted several outbound shipments destined for Western nations:

  • To the Netherlands: 1,174 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills concealed inside a bicycle luggage carrier.

  • To the United States: 66 Tramadol tablets hidden inside commercial soap containers.

  • To the United Kingdom: 18 Tramadol tablets packed inside body cream jars.

4. Regional Invasions and Cultivation Raids

  • Ekiti State: A tactical raid on a storage facility in Ikole-Ekiti yielded 1,116kg of skunk. A 54-year-old suspect, Ogundana Adebayo Julius, was taken into custody.

  • Edo State: Operatives cleared an illegal hub in the Igwe community, Owan East LGA, recovering 489kg of skunk (packed across 59 jumbo bags) alongside 9kg of raw cannabis seeds.

  • Kano State: Along the Zaria-Kano highway, 30-year-old Isah Sani was intercepted transporting 196,000 pills of Exol-5.

  • Seme Border: Border patrol personnel uncovered 59kg of skunk during a targeted sweep of a warehouse located in Mowo, Badagry.

Command Commendation

Reacting to the sweeping successes, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa highly commended the operational teams across the Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Edo, Ekiti, Kano, and Seme border commands.

Marwa directed all state and special commands to maintain their aggressive enforcement postures while simultaneously intensifying the agency’s grassroots “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) public enlightenment programs across educational institutions, workplaces, and local communities.

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Crime

BLOODBATH IN BORNO: Troops Unleash Hell, Neutralize 12 Terrorists In Fierce Gun Battle.

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2 days ago

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May 24, 2026

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully neutralized 12 terrorists and recovered a significant cache of heavy weaponry after thwarting a dawn raid on military formations along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The high-stakes encounter unfolded on Friday when insurgents attempted to overrun positions held by the 153 Task Force Battalion along the strategic Kirawa axis in Borno State. According to a statement released on Saturday by the theatre’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, alert soldiers spotted the advancing fighters early and immediately pinned them down with superior firepower.

Supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, and intelligence surveillance assets, the military forced the attackers into a chaotic retreat.

“Following the encounter, troops confirmed the neutralisation of 12 terrorists, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds, with blood trails observed along their withdrawal routes,” Lt. Col. Uba stated.

The battleground recovery yielded devastating losses for the insurgents, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) systems, a PKT machine gun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The military high command has commended the troops for their swift tactical response, urging them to maintain maximum pressure as aggressive mop-up operations continue along the border corridor.

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BLOODRAILS IN KIRAWA: 12 Insurgents Decimated as Joint Forces Foil Attack on Military Base

A deadly cross-border assault by insurgents went horribly wrong on Friday after gallant Nigerian troops intercepted and obliterated a terrorist cell attempting to infiltrate military bases in Borno State.

The theater command of Operation Hadin Kai confirmed that 12 terrorists were killed in the fierce gun duel, while dozens of others fled back across the Cameroon border with severe gunshot wounds.

Spokesperson Lt. Col. Sani Uba revealed that the attackers targeted the 153 Task Force Battalion but were instantly repelled by a combined wall of firepower from frontline troops, the Civilian JTF, and coordinated air strikes. The swift intervention completely degraded the attackers’ combat capability, leaving them to abandon their dead and their arsenal.

Items recovered from the blood-stained withdrawal routes include rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a PKT machine gun, and multiple assault rifles. High-level exploitation missions are currently underway in the border forests to hunt down the remaining wounded survivors, while troops maintain a state of heightened alert to protect local communities.

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Operation Hadin Kai Troops Repel Border Insurgency, Kill 12 Terrorists in Borno State

The military high command has announced the successful neutralisation of 12 terrorist elements following a failed attack on a military position along the Kirawa axis of Borno State.

In a press briefing on Saturday, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, stated that the incident occurred on Friday when suspected insurgents tried to infiltrate defensive positions held by the 153 Task Force Battalion near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

The assault was successfully countered through a joint effort involving frontline troops, local vigilantes (Civilian JTF), and aerial surveillance support. The coordinated response forced the attackers to retreat in disarray. Lt. Col. Uba noted that a post-encounter search confirmed 12 casualties among the terrorists, with extensive blood trails indicating further casualties among those who escaped.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of critical military hardware, including:

  • AK-47 assault rifles

  • Rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) systems

  • A PKT machine gun

  • Assorted live ammunition

The Theatre Command reiterated its commitment to restoring absolute peace to the North-East and stated that clearance operations are still ongoing to track down the fleeing remnants of the group.

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