The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two directors of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over alleged financial misconduct linked to preparations for the 2025 Hajj.
Senior EFCC officials, who confirmed the development on condition of anonymity, said the officials are currently in custody. They declined to reveal the exact amount involved in the alleged fraud.
“They are with us. We asked them to return the money they took, but they have yet to do so. That is why they remain in our custody,” one of the sources said.
Reacting to the arrests, NAHCON, in a statement issued by its Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Prof Abdullahi Usman, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in all its operations.
While the commission neither confirmed nor denied the detention of its staff, it stressed that it maintains an open line of cooperation with anti-graft and regulatory agencies.
“This cooperation is a standing principle of the commission’s operations and its belief in due process and the rule of law. The commission would not shield any staff or process found wanting,” the statement noted.
NAHCON urged the public and the media to avoid undue speculation and allow the relevant authorities to carry out their investigations without resorting to media trial.
“The commission respectfully urges the public and especially the media to exercise restraint on speculations and allow the appropriate authorities to conclude their work in accordance with established procedures. We are confident that whatever the truth is, it will emerge through the appropriate channels,” it added.
The commission further noted that its focus remains on post-Hajj evaluations, operational improvements, and better service delivery for future pilgrimages.
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comments were unsuccessful as at press time.
It would be recalled that in August 2024, the EFCC invited former NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Arabi, over allegations of mismanagement and diversion of N90bn released by the Federal Government to subsidise the 2024 Hajj.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission also arrested some officials of the commission in connection with the same funds.
Arabi was later removed from office by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024 and replaced with Prof Usman.
