By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo


Some residents of Taraba state have expressed worry over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s delay to arrest and probe the immediate past governor of the state, Darius Ishaku.


Residents who spoke to our correspondent on Tuesday in Jalingo expressed that the glaring financial mismanagement by the Ishaku’s administration was not negotiable, adding that the anti-graft agency should come after the former government to serve as a point of example for the new administration.

 

According to them, the over 200bn state Internal loans, bailout, and the Paris Club refund collected by the former governor which no meaningful project was executed by the administration need to be probed with immediate effect.


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Mr. Caleb Nyivu, Mustapha Abdullahi Kabiru Sadiq, Abu Rimande, and Mr Ada Nyajo Agbu, both expressed that the former governor needs to be invited to provide details on how he used the state resources.


“We are surprised that up till now, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has not arrested former governor Darius Ishaku, over mismanagement of Taraba state funds within the last eight years.


“No meaningful project was executed by the administration but the former governor incurred over 200bn Internal loans. There was no explanation of how he used the federal government Paris Club refund and the Bailout for the state.



“We want the EFCC to help us probe the immediate past governor of Taraba, Darius Ishaku. We want to know what he used the over 200bn he borrowed for.


“We believe that if the action is not taken, the new governor would not take caution and every other person coming as governor of Taraba would believe that serving as governor of Taraba is not for the interest of the state and her citizens but to enrich yourself and family members.


“The former governor only succeeded in marrying his children. We also want to know how the former governor used the funds that were reimbursed by the Federal Government for the Jalingo Bali Serti and Bali Takum roads which were constructed by the late former governor Danbaba Suntai.


“We wish to appeal to Governor Kefas Agbu, for the interest of Taraba, not to hide any criminal-related transaction done by the former governor Darius Ishaku’s administration,” the residents called.