Taraba State stands at a critical crossroads as shocking revelations emerge regarding the management of its collective wealth. While the citizens of the “Nature’s Gift to the Nation” navigate daily economic hardships, an intricate financial web allegedly operates behind the reinforced walls of the Government House. An investigative intelligence report has recently surfaced, detailing a staggering scheme of diversion and money laundering that points directly toward the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas. This investigation uncovers a sophisticated funneling system designed to drain public coffers through third-party conduits, effectively compromising the state’s financial future.
The Sophisticated Funnel: How Public Funds Vanish
The heart of this alleged corruption remains hidden within a coordinated dispersal system that transforms public revenue into private gain. Investigations reveal that the Taraba State Government utilizes “pooling accounts” to aggregate massive sums from various ministries before distributing them to a predetermined list of beneficiaries. This mechanism relies on two primary accounts held by Antionette Kushi, both in her personal capacity and through her business, Kushi Connect. Between April 2024 and January 2026, these accounts recorded massive inflows totaling over ₦10.8 billion, primarily originating from government-linked sources.
These funds did not appear by accident. They flowed directly from high-level accounts, including the Zenith Bank Taraba State Govt House Account and the Access Bank Executive Governor’s Security Funds. Why would billions of naira meant for state security and operational costs be transferred into the private accounts of a banking agent? The rapid nature of these disbursements suggests a classic “layering” stage of money laundering, where the trail is intentionally blurred to avoid detection by financial regulators like the NFIU.
Antionette Kushi: The Central Proxy in the Government House
Every financial scandal requires a trusted gatekeeper, and in the case of Governor Agbu Kefas, that role is allegedly filled by Antionette Kushi. Kushi is not merely a private citizen; she is deeply embedded within the state’s power structure, serving as the Secretary to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary. Furthermore, she operates as a banking agent directly within the Government House, providing her with physical and insider access to the very sources of the funds being diverted.
The accounts tied to Kushi and Kushi Connect are suspected of handling approximately ₦1.5 billion in circular flows. This arrangement allows for a “third-party laundering” strategy where Governor Agbu Kefas can move funds through a proxy who has no official mandate to handle such vast sums of public money. Can the people of Taraba truly believe that a junior aide could manage billions of naira without the direct knowledge and authorization of the Chief Executive? The lack of legitimate contracts or salary justifications for these transfers points toward a severe abuse of office.
Agyin Kefas Care Trust Foundation: Charity or Slush Fund?
One of the most concerning aspects of this intelligence report involves the integration of diverted funds into “legitimate” charitable activities. Records indicate that the Agyin Kefas Care Trust Foundation, founded by the First Lady of Taraba State, received millions of naira from these suspect accounts. While the foundation is presented as a vehicle for empowerment and social good, its ties to the laundering network suggest it may function as a PEP-linked (Politically Exposed Person) slush fund.
The use of a family-linked foundation for receiving government-derived funds is a red flag for corruption. It raises a thought-provoking question: Is the First Lady’s charity truly funded by goodwill, or is it a tool for the integration of illicit proceeds back into the Governor’s inner circle? By moving money from “Security Funds” into a family foundation, the administration effectively prioritizes personal legacy over the actual security of Taraba’s citizens.
The Security Fund Drain: Is Governor Agbu Kefa Compromising State Safety?
One notable recipient is Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, a Brigadier General and Commander of the 6 Brigade in Taraba, who reportedly received approximately ₦20 million. When high-ranking military officers involved in the state’s security architecture receive payments from a suspect third-party account, the integrity of the entire security protocol is compromised. Are these payments for legitimate security operations, or are they “loyalty bonuses” designed to secure political support through public funds?
In a state frequently challenged by farmer-herder conflicts and mining-related instability, “Security Funds” should be sacred. However, this report paints a grim picture where the Governor Agbu Kefas administration allegedly treats these funds as a private ATM. Inflows were traced from the Executive Governor’s Security Funds at both Zenith and Access Bank, only to be dispersed to a network of political and military beneficiaries.
Political Patronage and the Local Government Payouts
The web of influence extends far beyond the state capital of Jalingo. Following the local government elections in November 2025, a highly coordinated and suspicious payout occurred. All six newly elected chairmen from various local government areas received identical sums ranging between ₦7 million and ₦7.5 million. The beneficiaries included:
- Titus Davoro Kekwannya of Zing
- Umar Mohammed Jirji of Sardauna
- Umar Yusuf of Gashaka
- Bala H. Balasa of Bali
- Idris Waini Adamu of Gassol
- Nura Dantsoho of Jalingo
The timing of these disbursements, occurring immediately after they took office, suggests a form of political patronage rather than a legitimate government service. By utilizing the Kushi “pooling account” to pay these officials, Governor Agbu Kefas appears to be consolidating local power using wealth diverted from the state’s operational accounts.
Denials vs. Evidence: The ₦100 Billion Question for Governor Agbu Kefas
Governor Agbu Kefas has consistently denied allegations of financial mismanagement. He previously dismissed claims regarding a ₦100 billion misappropriation involving a retired general and rejected reports of spending ₦5.22 billion on foreign trips. However, the data within this intelligence report tells a different story. The transaction patterns, the use of proxies, and the sheer volume of funds—estimated at over ₦16 billion in total suspected diversions—align perfectly with historical patterns of fraud seen in previous Taraba administrations.
The 2026 budget of ₦653.5 billion and the N350 billion bond approved in 2025 provide massive opportunities for further diversion. Without immediate intervention and transparency, these loans and budgets may serve only to fuel the laundering machine. Does the administration truly intend to develop Taraba, or is the state being saddled with debt to facilitate private enrichment?
Conclusion: The Urgency for Accountability
The evidence compiled in this report suggests a systematic violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. From the involvement of media aides like Emmanuel Bello to the use of student union leaders like Galeya Lodiya to disperse funds, the network is vast and deeply entrenched. The cumulative findings point to conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, and a blatant abuse of office by the current leadership.
The people of Taraba State deserve to know why their “Security Funds” are ending up in the accounts of press secretary aides and family foundations. As the debt profile of the state rises, the question remains: will Governor Agbu Kefas be held accountable for this alleged financial web, or will the future of Taraba continue to be laundered away in the shadows?
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