EFCC detains NAHCON officials over alleged N50 billion fraud during 2025 Hajj

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested and detained senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over allegations of fraud and mismanagement during the 2025 Hajj operations.

According to reports, those detained included Aliu Abdulrazak, Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF), and Aminu Muhammed, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA).

Both officials reportedly honoured an invitation to the EFCC headquarters around 11 a.m. on Monday. As of late Monday night, they remained in the custody of the anti-corruption agency.

The arrest came amid a series of allegations bordering on the mismanagement of some funds during the conduct of the 2025 Hajj exercise, Daily Trust said.

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.

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.”

Earlier this month, the EFCC had also interrogated other senior NAHCON officials, including Abdulmalik Diggi, Deputy Director (Accounts) and Special Adviser (General Services) to the Chairman/CEO; Sirajo Usman Salisu, Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office; and Barrister Nura Danladi, the commission’s Legal Adviser.

According to Sahara Reporters, findings reveal that the EFCC is currently probing alleged financial misconduct involving more than ₦50 billion under the leadership of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, popularly known as “Pakistan.”

Pakistan, who oversaw only the 2025 Hajj exercise, is facing allegations of massive financial misconduct, including the alleged squandering of ₦25 billion on Masha’ir tents, ₦1.6 billion on spouses, and ₦7.9 billion on contingency houses in Makkah.

He is also accused of authorising extra-budgetary expenditure exceeding presidential approval, with funds reportedly diverted to cover expenses for NAHCON officials, stakeholders, and their spouses, amounting to an additional ₦25 billion.

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.