The Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF) at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Aliu Abdulrazak, has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud.
Specifically, Abdulrazak, who was detained alongside the agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Aminu Y. Muhammed, was still in the custody of the anti-graft agency as of when filing this report last night.
It was learnt that both officials of NAHCON honoured an invitation extended to them by the commission, and they were later arrested after their failure to refund some funds allegedly diverted.
Their arrest came amid a series of allegations bordering on the mismanagement of some funds during the conduct of the 2025 Hajj exercise.
The Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions recently described as “a total failure”, the Hajj operation under NAHCON chairman, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman (popularly known as Professor Pakistan).
The anti-graft agency had earlier this month quizzed other senior NAHCON officials, including Abdulmalik Diggi, Deputy Director (Accounts) and special adviser (General Services) to the Chairman/CEO.
Others were: Sirajo Usman Salisu, Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office, and Barrister Nura Danladi, the commission’s Legal Adviser.
Credible sources revealed last night that Abdulrazak and Muhammed are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in another case of fund diversion dating back to the tenure of former chairman, Ahmad Jalal Arabi.
When asked whether the detainees would be released last night, one of the sources said, “They have been unable to refund the money we asked them to refund.
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“We are not concerned whether they are making an attempt to refund it or not. Our own is that they must vomit what they ate illegitimately.”
Pressing further on the exact amount they are expected to refund, the source added that no specific amount has been determined yet because naira, riyal, and dollars are involved.
The new NAHCON chairman, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu, has only overseen the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, for official comments on the matter proved abortive as several phone calls to his known mobile number were not answered.
He was yet to reply to a text message sent to him when filing this report last night.
But the management of NAHCON said it remains dedicated to its functions with the highest sense of responsibility, honesty, accountability, and a zeal to deliver efficient services.
A statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, said “As a responsible organisation”, it maintains an open and ongoing relationship with all relevant government agencies, including anti-corruption and regulatory bodies.
“This cooperation is a standing principle of the commission’s operations and its belief in due process and the rule of law. The commission would not shield any staff or process found wanting,” Usara said in the statement.
She, however, urged the public and especially the media to exercise restraint on speculations and allow the appropriate authorities to conclude their work in accordance with established procedures without subjecting perhaps innocent persons to indignity through the media.
Daily Trust
