EFCC Steps Up Fight Against Corruption,Katsina Officials Face Legal Action Over Huge Income Smuggling Misappropriation

The individuals arrested include Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, who were taken into custody last Saturday, January 11.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, confirmed their arrest in Abuja on Monday, stating that the total amount allegedly diverted by the suspects is ₦1,294,337,676.53.

The arrests followed a petition from the Katsina state government, accusing the officials of colluding to misappropriate the funds. These funds were intended for the state government, sourced from the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

Preliminary investigations revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, former Director of Collections of the Board and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorized the opening of a bank account named ‘BOIRS’ at Sterling Bank, where Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro were appointed as sole signatories.

This account allegedly became the primary channel through which the funds were funneled to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare of the Board.

Further investigations traced the laundered funds to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects. The EFCC has detained the suspects at the Kano Zonal Command and plans to charge them to court once investigations are concluded.