Ex-Hajj Commission Chair Departs EFCC Custody Amid N90bn Inquiry

Ex-Hajj Commission Chair Departs EFCC Custody Amid N90bn Inquiry

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Jalal Arabi, the dismissed chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, on bail…… CONTINUE READING

Arabi and Kontagora were detained over allegations of unauthorized withdrawals and mismanagement of the N90 billion Hajj intervention fund. They spent five days in EFCC custody before meeting their bail conditions.

A source close to the investigation confirmed their release on Monday but noted that no new recoveries had been made beyond the previously reported 314,098 Saudi Riyals.

“The former Hajj Commission chairman and the secretary have been released after meeting their bail conditions. The investigation is ongoing, with no additional recoveries reported except for the initial amount,” the source stated.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

Earlier, The PUNCH reported on August 15 that the EFCC’s investigation had uncovered fraudulent payments by Arabi and others from the N90 billion Hajj subsidy. The agency had recovered 314,098 Saudi Riyals but found discrepancies totaling SR 8,614,175.27 in cash withdrawals.

The probe also revealed misuse of funds for non-existent consultancy services and fraudulent backdating of payment documents for Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd.

In a related development, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Arabi on August 19 and appointed Prof. Abdullahi Usman as the new chairman of NAHCON.

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