Top NAHCON Officials Arrested by ICPC Over Alleged Mismanagement of N90bn Hajj Subsidy
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested several top officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in connection with the alleged mismanagement and diversion of the N90 billion subsidy allocated by the Federal Government for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The officials were apprehended at their offices and taken to the ICPC headquarters after they failed to respond to previous invitations extended by the anti-graft agency.
According to an insider within the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak with the media, the arrested officials were subjected to lengthy interrogations regarding the handling of the Hajj subsidy.
“On Wednesday, some of our operatives visited the Hajj Commission’s office to bring the officials to our office after they failed to appear voluntarily. They are being investigated based on petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the subsidy provided for pilgrims,” the source disclosed.
Confirming the development on Sunday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare stated that the officials had been released after meeting their bail conditions. However, he clarified that the chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, was not among those arrested.
“Yes, the officials were brought to our office and have since been released on bail. The investigation is ongoing,” Bakare confirmed, adding, “We did not shut down the NAHCON office as rumored. Our visit was strictly to escort the officials who did not honor our invitation.”
The arrests come just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi regarding the same allegations of mismanagement of the N90 billion Hajj subsidy.
This scrutiny follows concerns raised by Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, prompting the National Assembly to launch a probe into the commission’s handling of the funds.
In a post-Hajj press conference held in Abuja on July 29, Arabi defended the commission’s actions, asserting that the funds were used transparently.
He explained that each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion, with the exception of those enrolled in the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), who received additional support.
“All registered intending pilgrims, except those under the HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 as the N90 billion subsidy was insufficient to cover the full cost,” Arabi stated, dismissing allegations of corruption as baseless.
The investigation into NAHCON’s management of the Hajj subsidy is ongoing, with both the ICPC and EFCC continuing to probe the matter.
The outcome of these investigations is eagerly awaited, as the public and government officials seek clarity on the handling of the substantial funds meant to ease the financial burden of the pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.
