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A document exclusively reviewed, revealed that SR8,614,175.27, withdrawn in cash from the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to the commission, remains unaccounted for by NAHCON.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 withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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