How Perm Sec, Directors stole N1.2bn state revenue

Katsina revenue officials arrested for N1.2bn fraud

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53 belonging to the state government.

The arrested revenue officials are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the revenue officials were arrested following a petition from the Katsina State Government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the sum of N1.2 billion accruing to the state from the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicins Sans Frontiers, and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

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Oyewale noted that preliminary investigation by the EFCC showed that Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections of the Board and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorised the opening of a bank account in the name of “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank where he allegedly designated Yaro, Director of Revenue Account, and Soro as sole signatories to the account.

The EFCC spokesperson stated: “Subsequently, the account became the primary channel through which all the funds were allegedly funneled to the main beneficiary NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare of the Board.

“Investigation further revealed that Nura Lawal and his company ‘NADIKKO’ became the principal conduits used to launder the stolen funds. These laundered funds were traced to the various bank accounts of the suspects.

“The suspects are currently being detained at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC
They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”

The Star