The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Jalal Arabi, the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Abdullahi Kontagora, the commission’s secretary, in connection with the alleged mismanagement of ₦90 billion allocated for the 2024 Hajj subsidy.
The EFCC’s investigation has revealed significant discrepancies in the financial operations of NAHCON, including the recovery of SR314,098 from Arabi and other senior officials. These funds were reportedly part of fraudulent overpayments made from the subsidy fund, with top officials receiving amounts far exceeding their entitlements. For example, Arabi, who was entitled to SR15,929, allegedly paid himself SR50,000, while three commissioners received SR40,000 each instead of the stipulated SR15,929.
Further investigation uncovered that a substantial amount—SR8,614,175.27—withdrawn from the subsidy fund remains unaccounted for. The EFCC is also probing other questionable financial activities dating back to 2022, including payments made to staff who did not participate in authorized study tours and payments to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd for services that were never rendered.
The scandal has raised serious concerns about the financial integrity of NAHCON, with more revelations expected as the investigation progresses.