The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by Executive Chairman, Jalal Arabi, is under investigation for the alleged misuse of funds allocated for the 2024 Hajj.
Arabi has yet to account for SR 8,614,175.27 withdrawn from the N90 billion released to NAHCON by the federal government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, detained Abdullahi Kontagora, the Secretary of the Commission, over allegations of mismanaging the N90 billion Hajj subsidy.
The EFCC claimed that a total of SR314,098 was recovered from Arabi and other senior officials.
The agency further alleged that Arabi fraudulently paid himself and others operational costs from the Hajj subsidy.
The 2024 budget allocated $4,250 for Commissioners, $12,750 for the Secretary, $3,825 for Directors, and $15,300 for the Chief of Staff.
However, the EFCC said that Arabi overpaid everyone involved, including himself, for these operational costs.
The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but instead received SR50,000. Three commissioners, who were supposed to receive SR15,929 each, were given SR40,000 each. The Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, was allocated SR14,336 but ended up receiving SR30,000. Similarly, Directors and the Chief of Staff received SR30,000 each instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to.
Arabi was first questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for several hours on July 29th before being released on bail. On Wednesday, several senior officers of the Hajj Commission were also arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on allegations of mismanagement or diversion of the N90 billion subsidy.
The EFCC has confirmed that the Chairman and the Secretary of the Commission are in their custody and are undergoing intensive interrogations concerning the N90 billion subsidy, among other accusations. The N90 billion was initially released by the Federal Government of Nigeria to subsidize the Hajj operations in 2024.
The investigation into the commission’s activities began in 2022, leading to the recovery of travel allowances paid to staff members who did not participate in the Indonesia study tour.
The anti-graft agency’s investigation has revealed a pattern of financial irregularities, with senior officials allegedly pocketing amounts far exceeding their entitled allowances. This has cast a shadow over the Commission's financial practices and the integrity of its leadership.
The Federal Government's release of N90 billion was intended to ensure smooth Hajj operations, but the alleged misappropriation of these funds has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. The public and other stakeholders are closely watching the unfolding situation, hoping for transparency and justice.
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