EFCC probes NAHCON chairman over multi-billion naira fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, over allegations of multi-billion naira financial misconduct.

Reliable sources confirmed that Professor Pakistan arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, accompanied by his personal lawyer, Kazeem Atetebi.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the NAHCON boss was later granted administrative bail but was directed to report to the EFCC daily at 10 a.m. pending the conclusion of the probe.

Investigations by the anti-graft agency reportedly revealed that Professor Pakistan exceeded his approved 2025 onshore and offshore budget by more than 300 percent.

“The Presidency had approved an operational budget of $14 million — 70 percent to be sourced from NAHCON’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and 30 percent from the Federal Government.

However, Professor Pakistan allegedly spent over $48 million during the 2025 Hajj without proper authorization,” one EFCC insider disclosed.

So far, over 20 NAHCON officials have been questioned by the EFCC, with many reportedly pointing fingers at the chairman for the financial irregularities.

Key areas under investigation include the alleged diversion of ₦25 billion for Masha’ir extra bed spaces, ₦1.6 billion spent on staff spouses, and ₦8 billion on contingency bed spaces in Makkah.

Other allegations involve ₦25 billion in questionable expenditures on officials and board members, ₦1.4 billion in committee allowances, and alleged mismanagement of bed spaces in Madinah, which increased from 11,000 to 18,000 for 41,000 pilgrims.

Professor Pakistan was initially scheduled to appear before the EFCC on September 17, 2025, but requested a postponement to travel to Saudi Arabia.

The rescheduled session for October 2, 2025, was also missed after his return to Nigeria.

Sources at the Presidency revealed that the NAHCON boss attended a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday, October 6, 2025, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and other NAHCON executives.

During the meeting, the Vice President reportedly directed the commission to review and reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The EFCC’s investigation into the financial activities of NAHCON is still ongoing.