Controversy Over Alleged Arrest Of Ex-Gov Ishaku By EFCC

Controversy yesterday trailed the alleged detention of former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud.

He was said to have honoured the commission’s invitation by reporting at its office on Wednesday in Abuja, where he was detained.

The anti-graft commission reportedly invited Ishaku immediately after he left office but was unable to honour it on health grounds.

But last Wednesday, he reportedly turned up at the commission’s office and was detained till yesterday.

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When LEADERSHIP Friday contacted the spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, he said he was not aware of the commission’s quizzing of Ishaku.

Uwujaren said, “I am not aware of his visit to the commission’s headquarters or arrest by the commission. I have not seen the report.”

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered in Jalingo that the former governor arrived at the Abuja office of the EFCC at exactly 11:17 am on Wednesday and was accompanied by a few of his security aides.

It was learnt that Ishaku was questioned on issues concerning funds amounting to N80 billion, part of which accrued to the state during the eight years of his administration.

LEADERSHIP Friday further gathered that after spending a night in the custody of the EFCC, the former deputy governor of the state, Senator Haruna Manu Manu, stood as surety on an administrative bail and he was released at about 5:45pm yesterday

The governorship candidate of the APC in the just-concluded general elections Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who commented on the alleged detention of Ishaku by the EFCC said he would be surprised if the commission chose to probe the former governor on only N80 billion.

Also commenting on the development, former chairman of APC in the state and former Nigerian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Ardo Jika, said Ishaku has many questions to answer and must account for hundreds of billions of naira he spent “unacceptably during his eight years’ tenure.”