Top Stories

Hajj fraud: Tinubu sacks NAHCON chairman, appoints Prof Usman

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, over alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion 2024 Hajj subsidy.

The Presidency in a statement on Monday, August 19, 2024 announced the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Executive Chairman of NAHCON.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Arabi alongside the NAHCON Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, at its custody in Abuja.

EFCC detains NAHCON chairman, recovers foreign currency

The anti-graft agency, in a document obtained on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, disclosed that SR314,098 (Saudi Riyad) was recovered from the sacked NAHCON chairman and other officials.

The EFCC noted that its investigation revealed that from the N90 billion Hajj subsidy, Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and others the necessary operational cost.

It stated: “The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost.

“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each.

“The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to.  The total of SR314,098 were recovered from all of them.”

The anti-graft agency had first grilled Arabi for hours on July 29 and released him on bail.

The Presidency stated that Prof. Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.

He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.

The Star

Editor

Recent Posts

Troops arrest Fulani youth leader over role in Kaduna attack

Troops of Sector 7 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a Fulani youth leader over…

13 minutes ago

Adeyemi’s appointment letter didn’t originate from presidency — ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declared that the appointment…

20 minutes ago

Gombe Assembly promotes 28 staff, retires six

The Gombe State House of Assembly Service Commission has approved the promotion of 28 staff…

33 minutes ago

Rodri approves Barcelona transfer talks with Man City

Spain midfielder Rodri has authorised Barcelona to start talks with Manchester City for a potential…

1 hour ago

PFIPC probe deepens as ICPC discovers two fake agencies

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered two…

2 hours ago

FCTA to build more bus terminals, eliminate illegal parks in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will construct additional modern bus and taxi…

2 hours ago

This website uses cookies.