Crime
Fraud: EFCC Detains NAHCON’s Directors, Retrieves SR314,098
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, along with the commission’s Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over allegations of mismanaging the N90 billion Hajj subsidy for 2024.
Documents obtained by our correspondent indicate that the EFCC recovered a sum of SR314,098 from Arabi and other senior officials of the commission during its investigation.
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The anti-graft agency claimed that the chairman and several officials fraudulently inflated their operational costs beyond what was stipulated in the approved 2024 budget.
According to the EFCC, the approved budget outlined the operational costs for the Chairman/CEO, commissioners, secretary, and directors/chief of staff at $4,250, $12,750, $3,825, and $15,300, respectively.
However, the EFCC alleged that the chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but fraudulently obtained SR50,000.
Similarly, three commissioners, who were supposed to receive SR15,929 each, instead pocketed SR40,000 each.
The Secretary received SR30,000 instead of the authorized SR14,336, while directors/chief of staff received SR30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to.
The total sum of SR314,098 was recovered from all involved.
Arabi was initially questioned by the EFCC on July 29 before being released on bail. Additionally, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested several high-ranking NAHCON officials last Wednesday over the alleged diversion of the N90 billion subsidy.
A source within the EFCC disclosed on Wednesday that the NAHCON Chairman was brought in again for questioning and has been detained.
“The Secretary and Chairman of the commission are currently in our custody and are undergoing extensive interrogation regarding the N90 billion subsidy, among other allegations,” the source disclosed, requesting anonymity due to the inability to speak officially.
A document exclusively reviewed, revealed that SR8,614,175.27, withdrawn in cash from the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to the commission, remains unaccounted for by NAHCON.
The document reads in part, “The sum of N90bn was released by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the National Hajj Commission to subsidise the 2024 Hajj Operations by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The total sum of N1, 764,705,937.62 was deducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria as bank charges.
“The sum of N88, 235,294,063.72 was subsequently converted into United States dollars at the rate of N1,416.13, which amounted to USD 62,307,164.48 and thereafter transferred into NAHCON British SAAB Account in Saudi Arabia.
“The sum of USD 62,307,164.48 was converted to Saudi Riyal at the rate of N3,748, which amounted to the sum of SR 233,527,252.47.
“That the opening balance of the IBAN-E track for 2024 Hajj activities was SR 19,813,810.89 and has an inflow of SR 485,000,000.00 from NAHCON with a closing balance of SR 78,985,266.03.
“That the closing balance is inclusive of the SR20,637,908.23 refunded from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.
“That the total sum of SR 22, 815,367.74 was withdrawn cash from the British SAAB account by one Abubakar Muhammed Lamin in Saudi Arabia during the 2024 Hajj operation.
“The expected cash payment for services and allowances to staff and stakeholders is SR 14,905,910.47. That the total sum of SR 8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.”
Additionally, investigations into the commission’s activities since 2022 uncovered the recovery of estacodes given to staff for study tours they did not attend, along with payments made to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd for services that were never provided.
“While investigation commenced on the criminal aspect which has led to the recovery of Estacodes paid to staff, who did not travel to Indonesia for study tour, also recoveries were made for services not rendered of the sum of SR 1,026,000.00 and SR 1,780,019.99, being purported 7.5% of consultancy paid to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd for debt recover of the sum SR20, 637,908.23 from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.”
The document revealed that all supporting paperwork for the consultancy services payment, including the Executive Chairman’s approval, was fraudulently backdated to January 23, 2024, to facilitate a payment of SAR 780,019.59 to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd on April 14, 2024.
“Jalal Arabi, the primary suspect, admitted that the consultant did not provide any services,” the document stated.
Additionally, a meeting of the Expanded Transitional Exco was conducted on January 25, 2024, with seven members and 18 staff present, yet the payment to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd was not addressed during the meeting.
The document added “The commission’s secretary slotted the approval for the payment of the 7.5% consultancy to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd in the minutes of the Expanded Transitional Exco meeting as item 10 under AOB to enable the perfection of the documentation to steal the funds.
“That the said sum of SR1,026,000.00, equivalent to about N430,920,000 Million, was also recovered from one Eastern Gulf Company Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
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