By: Nwosu Collins
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over alleged mismanagement of N90 billion hajj subsidy funds.
President Bola Tinubu had approved the funds to subsidize the hajj cost for pilgrims, but the EFCC launched an investigation into the commission’s handling of the funds. According to documents from the anti-graft agency, Arabi and other officials fraudulently overpaid themselves and others, exceeding the approved operational costs.
The EFCC recovered a total of SR314,098 from Arabi and other officials, with Arabi allegedly receiving SR50,000 instead of the entitled SR15,929. Other officials also received excessive payments, with SR8,614,175.27 in cash withdrawals still unaccounted for.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed a pattern of fraudulent activities, including overpayment of operational costs and unaccounted cash withdrawals. The agency is continuing its investigation into the alleged N90 billion hajj subsidy fraud.