The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over allegations of diverting N1,294,337,676.53 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo) meant for the state government.
The arrested officials include Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
According to an EFCC statement, the arrests followed a petition from the Katsina State Government, which alleged that the suspects colluded to misappropriate funds accrued to the state from international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and now the Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorized the opening of a bank account in the name of “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank. He allegedly appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as the sole signatories to the account.
The EFCC disclosed that the account became the conduit for funneling funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director in Career Skills and Staff Welfare at the Board.
“The laundered funds were traced to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects,” the statement said.
Further investigations revealed that Nura Lawal and his company, NADIKKO, played a central role in laundering the funds, which were then dispersed across the suspects’ accounts.
The EFCC confirmed that all suspects are currently being detained at its Kano Zonal Command. They are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
